Special to the MDN – The Swain High Men’s Soccer team opened up the NCHSAA Playoffs on Monday night by hosting Queen’s Grant Charter School. The two teams last met two years ago in the playoffs when Queen’s Grant took a 2-1 win over the Devils. The first half consisted of strong defense from both teams. It would take 39 minutes and 59 seconds for either team to get on the board. With just 15 seconds left on the clock Senior Levi Trantham would find Junior Matthew Gray in the center of the field, who would cross it out to Sophomore Owen Craig, who would then cross it into Junior Landon Matz who would put the ball in the back of the net with less than one second left on the clock. “That goal was a major momentum shift for us going into the locker room at the half.” said Head Coach Scott Cline.
In the second half the Devils would add another goal 10 minutes into the half when Senior Gavin Lanning would find Matz in the middle of the field for his second goal of the game. With 8 minutes left in the game Junior Gavin Rowland would pass the ball into space for Gray running up the middle. Gray would get the ball by the keeper and pass it into the goal solidifying the Swain 3-0 win. “Overall we played a really great game. We knew playing one of these Charter Schools from the Charlotte area would not be easy.” said Cline. “The boys came out with something to prove and they showed it on the field.”
On Defense Senior Lucas Trantham led the way with 14 Clears/Steals. He was followed by Freshman Brendan Lanning with 12, Senior Levi Trantham with 11, Senior Taligwo Walker with 9, and Junior Canon Helpman with 8. In goal Junior Cameron Phillips recorded 14 Goalkeeper Saves. The Player of the Game for the Devils was Senior Lucas Trantham. “Our whole defense did an amazing job. Lucas really stepped it up on Monday helping out both offensively and defensively.” said Cline.
The Devils would go on to play Mountain Heritage in the second round of the NCHSAA playoffs.