Special to the MDN – The Swain High Men’s Soccer team hosted the Cherokee Braves on Monday Night in a Breast Cancer Awareness game. With a win, the Devils would be undefeated in conference play for the season. Eleven minutes into the game Junior Matthew Gray would receive a pass from Junior Landon Matz for the first goal of the game. Ten minutes later Gray would receive a pass from Junior Gavin Rowland for his second goal of the game. Nine minutes later Matz would get in on the scoring when he received a pass from Senior Lucas Trantham and then beat a few defenders finishing with a goal. Two minutes later Gray would complete his Hat Trick scoring his third goal after a pass from Junior Canon Helpman. With two minutes left in the half Senior Gavin Lanning would find Matz with his second goal of the game. The half would finish with the Devils up 5-0.
In the second half Junior Gavin Rowland would get in on the scoring when Matz would find him with a pass putting the Devils up 6-0. With 20 minutes left in the game the Braves would have a handball in the box. Helpman would score on the penalty kick putting the Devils up 7-0. Three minutes later Junior Spencer Rowland would get in on the scoring off a pass from Freshman Max Wilmot. Wih two minutes left in the game the Devils would complete the mercy rule when Trantham would find Matz for his third goal of the game. “The boys came out ready to play today. They knew one of the team goals of being undefeated in conference play still needed to be completed and they came out ready.” said Head Coach Scott Cline. “It was also great to be able to get some playing time for all of the players.”
On Defense Senior Lucas Trantham led the way with 8 Clears/Steals. He was followed by Senior Taligwo Walker and Sophomore Revis Robinson each with 5 and Senior Levi Trantham with 4. In goal Junior Cameron Phillips recorded 3 Goalkeeper Saves. The Player of the Game for the Devils was Junior Matthew Gray. “In only his second game back after surgery, Matthew was a major impact player for us today. It was great to see him back out on the field and helping his team.” said Cline. “We can really tell when he is on the field and has the ball at his feet.”
The Devils play their next game on Tuesday night vs. Mitchell at home at 6:00. It will be Youth Night. After that they will await playoff seeding to see who their first round opponent will be.