Special to the Maroon Devils Network – Swain High Men’s Soccer Team bounced back on Wednesday night against 3A Pisgah after two losses last week to 3A Powerhouses Franklin and Smoky Mountain.
Swain suffered a tough 8-1 loss this past Monday against Franklin. The game saw Junior Landon Matz scoring the only goal for the Devils off an assist from Freshman Max Wilmot and Seniors Lucas and Levi Trantham leading the defense with 13 Clears/Steals each. The Player of the Game was Senior Gavin Lanning.
Two nights later the Devils would travel to Smoky Mountain taking a 6-3 loss. The game would have Junior Landon Matz with two goals and Senior Gavin Lanning with one goal. Junior Matthew Gray would have 3 assists for the game. On Defense Senior Lucas Trantham would lead the way with 20 Clears/Steals followed by Senior Levi Trantham with 14. The Player of the Game was Sophomore Owen Craig.
Going into the home opener this Wednesday against Pisgah the Devils were looking to right the ship. Just 3 minutes into the game Senior Gavin Lanning would find the back of the net off a long throw from Junior Matthew Gray. With 8 minutes left in the first half Lanning would score once more off a pass from Freshman Clayton Shuler. The Devils went into halftime with a 2-0 lead. In the second half Pisgah would score a goal bringing the score to 2-1. Junior Matthew Gray would finish the scoring off from a through pass from Sophomore Owen Craig. “Overall we played a good game. Pisgah is a really good passing team.” said Head Coach Scott Cline. “Our defense did a great job holding their own and our ball movement was good.”
On defense Senior Lucas Trantham led the way with 21 Clears/Steals. He was followed by Senior Levi Trantham with 9, and Junior Canon Helpman and Freshman Brendon Lanning each with 7. In goal Junior Cameron Phillips with 19 Saves. The Player of the Game for the Devils was Junior Goalkeeper Cameron Phillips. “Cameron did a phenomenal job in goal for us.” said Cline. “He made some amazing saves that really kept us in the game.”