Highlands (Special to the Maroon Devils Network) – The Maroon Devils Men’s Soccer Team traveled to Highlands this past Wednesday night to open conference play. Many consider Highlands to be one of the top teams in the conference this year. Highlands would score just one minute into the game off a pair of headers. The rest of the first half it would be a game of playing defense for both of the teams.
Nineteen minutes into the second half Swain would find the back of the net when Freshman Matthew Gray would find Freshman Landon Matz for the goal. Regulation would end with a 1-1 tie. The Devils and Highlanders would go on to play two 10 minute overtime periods. With 25 seconds left in the first overtime period the Devils were rewarded a free kick for a Highlander foul. As Swain lined up to take the kick the referee had to deal with a Highlander fan which only left 1.3 seconds on the clock. Junior Zachary Cline would take the free kick and score off of it. The goal would not be counted due to time expiring.
The game would remain tied after the two overtime periods and go on to Penalty Kicks. Highlands would kick first and make their first kick. Junior Joao Segato would make his PK for Swain. Swain would go on to miss their next four PKs with Highlands making their last of their next four. Highlands would win the game. “It was a tough loss for us. We just gave up a quick goal and we held them scoreless for 99 minutes after that.” said Head Coach Scott Cline. “We worked on penalty kicks for a while this week, but it looks like we need to continue to work on them. We will regroup and get ready for our next conference game.”
In the game on defense, Sophomore Levi Trantham would lead the way with 12 clears/steals, followed by Senior Aiden Pond with 7 and Junior Zachary Cline and Sophomore Lucas Trantham each with 5. In goal Junior Noel Wolf had 17 Saves. The player of the game for the Devils was Freshman Landon Matz. “Landon played a great game.” said Cline. “He did a great job finding passing lanes and coming back to offer support when needed.”