The Swain High Men’s Soccer team traveled to Cherokee on Monday to take on the Cherokee Braves. The Braves’ stellar defense in the first half made it hard for the Devils to score many goals.
It was a day where the Devils would find themselves playing a lot of offense, taking a total of 40 shots. The final score was in the Devils favor, 8-0.
Six minutes into the game, senior Levi Trantham would find sophomore Owen Craig making a run up the middle. Craig would score a goal after a few touches. Six minutes later, Craig would find junior Landon Matz for his first goal of the game. For the rest of the first half, Cherokee’s defense would lock down the Devils.
The Devils came into the second half more determined. Just five minutes into the half, Trantham would find Matz for a goal. Eleven minutes later, Trantham would split the defenders finding Matz with his 3rd goal of the day.
Six minutes later, senior Adam Cotterman would get in on the action scoring after Craig took a shot that bounced off the goalkeeper. Six minutes later, Cotterman would find Matz for his fourth goal of the night. With two minutes left in the game, junior Gavin Rowland would find Matz for his fifth goal of the game. With 30 seconds left junior Canon Helpman would find Matz for his double hat trick in the game.
“I felt we played an okay game. We knew going into the game that Cherokee would overload the box and play strong defense,” said Head Coach Scott Cline. “Our first half was a bit rough, but in the last half of the second half, we stepped it up and started playing more of our game.”
On defense, seniors Levi and Lucas Trantham led the way with 12 clears/steals each. They were followed by senior Taligwo Walker with 6, sophomore Owen Craig with 3, and junior Canon Helpman with 2. In goal junior Cameron Phillips recorded 5 goalkeeper saves.
The Player of the Game for the Devils was Matz. “Landon did a great job at finding the open space and getting some quick shots off in a crowded area,” said Cline.
Tonight, they will travel to 3A Erwin for a 7 p.m. game. The Devils will finish out the regular season with five home games due to many rescheduled games.
Currently. the Devils are first in the conference, one game ahead of both Blue Ridge and Highlands.