Special to the MDN – The Swain High Men’s Soccer team hosted the Blue Ridge Bobcats on Thursday night. With a win, the Devils would clinch the Smoky Mountain conference championship for the second year in a row. With a loss the Devils would have to win on Monday night to win the championship. The night would start off with the five Seniors on the team being recognized for their contributions to the team. The five Seniors are Adam Cotterman, Gavin Lanning, Levi Trantham, Lucas Trantham and Taligwo Walker.Just 13 minutes into the game Senior Taligwo Walker would chip a long ball to Junior Landon Matz who would finish with a goal. Eleven minutes later Junior Matthew Gray would send a ball up to Matz who would make a few moves and finish with the goal. The Devils would be up 2-0 at the end of the half. Twenty three minutes into the second half Gray would do a give and go with Junior Gavin Rowland finishing with a goal from 30 yards out. The game would finish with the Devils taking the 3-0 win, clinching the Smoky Mountain Conference Championship. “It was great to win the conference championship on the same night that we were honoring our Seniors.” said Head Coach Scott Cline. “This was also the first time we have been able to clinch the championship at our home field. The home crowd support was great once again.”
On Defense Senior Lucas Trantham led the way with 12 Clears/Steals. He was followed by Senior Taligwo Walker with 10, Senior Levi Trantham with 6 and Junior Canon Helpman with 5. In goal Junior Cameron Phillips recorded 8 Goalkeeper Saves. The Player of the Game for the Devils was Senior Levi Trantham. “Levi did a great job helping out on defense. If one player got beat, we could count on him to offer support and backing his teammate up.” said Cline. “He also stepped up to help out on offense when he could.”
The Devils play their next game on Monday night vs. Cherokee at home at 6:00. With a win, the Devils would have their first ever undefeated conference season. On Tuesday they will host the Mitchell Mountaineers at 6:00. Seeding will take place for the playoffs on Friday and the playoffs will start the following Monday.