-
Lady Devils soccer
The Swain County High School Lady Devils soccer team was on the road for two games this week, first traveling to Sylva Thursday to take on the 3A Smoky Mountain Lady Mustangs team. Then, Tuesday the team traveled to Tuscola to take on the 3A Lady Mountaineers. Mistakes against the Mustangs led to a 4-2 loss for the Lady Devils but they were redeemed for a 2-0 win on over the Mountaineers Tuesday.
On Thursday, the Mustangs got on the scoreboard first at 21 minutes into the game with a free kick. Lady Devils followed to tie up the game when freshman Karena Cline found senior Kaylee Simmons. With just one minute left in the half, the Mustangs regained the lead.
The Lady Devils tied the score up when sophomore Anna Gray got a free kick on a foul. With 12 minutes left, the Lady Devils got called for a handball giving the Mustangs a penalty kick. They converted the kick, putting them 3-2. A corner kick in the final 33 seconds of the game gave the Mustangs the 4-2 win.
“We definitely did not play our best game, but it showed us very specific things that we need to work on,” said Head Coach Scott Cline. “We play these bigger schools to prepare us for conference play and the playoffs. We will watch film and tweak what we need to work on to get prepared for our next game.”
On defense, Gray led the way with 13 steals/clears, followed by senior Jadyn Perez with 5, senior Mazie Helpman with 4, and senior Jade Henry and Cline each with 3. In the game, sophomore Emmie Fuller recorded 6 goalkeeper saves.
Senior Avery Maples was the Player of the Game.
Tuscola
Rain Monday moved the game from the Lady Devils’ home field to Tuscola in Waynesville. The Lady Devils secured the first score of the game 22 minutes in when freshman Karena Cline took a pass from senior Avery Maples. The remainder of the first half was scoreless.
Action resumed in the second half when senior Mazie Helpman battled through defenders to score, giving the Lady Devils the 2-0 win.
“We were able to keep the ball on the ground and make some good connecting passes,” said Coach Cline.
On defense, sGray led the way with 10 steals/clears, followed by Cline with 7, and Perez and Maples each with 5. In the game, sophomore Emmie Fuller recorded 7 goalkeeper saves.
Cline was the Player of the Game.
The Lady Devils returned to action Wednesday night (after press time) when they host Invest Collegiate Imagine.