Are you happy to add another win to Polk County's total?
Wolverine women's soccer coach Lennox Charles was mostly happy that Polk was fit enough to lead the team Thursday night.
The Wolverines left GM Tennant Stadium battered and bruised but victorious after a 2-0 win over East Rutherford in Mountain Foothills 7 Conference play.
Hayden Blackwell and Caroline Taylor each scored one goal in the first half, and Polk improved to 10-4-3 overall and 8-3 in seven midfield games. Polk trails Brevard (17-1-3, 8-1-2) by one game in the conference standings and has a chance to finish the regular season in second place in the league when they host the Blue Devils on Tuesday.
Alternatively, Polk may choose an easy night to prepare for the state 1A playoffs given the health of the team. The Wolverines have three goaltenders on the roster, but at one point this week it looked like none of them would be able to play Thursday. Polk had his junior, Kylie Lewis, available to play in goal just in case.
Freshman Kate Brown started with a fixed knee and posted a shutout victory for the Cavaliers (6-8-3, 3-7-2).
“We prepped Kylie yesterday and told her she might have to jump in there again,” Charles said. “Thankfully she didn't because (assistant coach George Alley) said during practice that her stomach was tight all day.
“I wish we could have been a little more efficient. George talked to them to be more patient. We don't have Gabby (Savaia, injured), so we don't have that guy to spread the field for us. So I really need to be more patient and I think I could have done a better job of that.”
Blackwell's goal came in the opening minutes when Elena Carroll headed a Harley Bell throw-in toward the goal. Blackwell also headed the ball toward the goal, where it bounced off the head of an East Rutherford defender and settled there, giving Polk a 1-0 lead.
East Rutherford kept Polk at bay until the 51st minute, when Taylor hit a low line drive from near the top right of the penalty area that bounced off the inside of the left post, doubling the Wolverines' advantage.
Polk's defense held a two-point lead, but Charles was especially pleased with the play of junior defender Jasmine Baird.
“Jasmine had an unbelievable game today,” he said. “She was probably the most consistent player at a high level. Everyone has some peaks and dips a little bit. She was fine all day.
“I was really happy because I moved the ball really well. (Friday) I'm going to try to finish it up a little bit more.”