The Swain County High School boys’ soccer team traveled to Blue Ridge on Wednesday, Oct. 13 in a critical conference game. A strong offense early in the game from the Devils cinched the 3-0 win.
The Devils would get on the scoreboard 9 minutes into the game when senior Gavin Lanning would find sophomore Owen Craig for a goal. It would take Blue Ridge two minutes to respond when they would score a goal off a header from a corner kick.
With 14 minutes left in the first half, Lanning would get fouled at midfield. Senior Lucas Trantham would take the free kick.
Blue Ridge would attempt an offsides trap, but the Devils moved with them giving the Devils plenty of space to receive a chipped ball from Trantham. Junior Landon Matz would receive the ball, take a couple of touches and find the back of the net. The half would end with the Devils up 2-1.
In the second half, the Devils would add another goal just three minutes in when Lanning would find Matz with a long throw. The rest of the game came down to strong defense from both teams. The game finished with the Devils taking the 3-1 win.
"We knew going into the game that it would be tough playing the game at Blue Ridge. Blue Ridge has a really good team,” said Head Coach Scott Cline. “Every time we go to Blue Ridge, we have to make adjustments. Overall, our team came out ready to play and left it all out on the field.”
On defense, senior Taligwo Walker led the way with 15 clears/steals. He was followed by junior Canon Helpman with 7, seniors Lucas and Levi Trantham each with 5.
In goal, junior Cameron Phillips recorded 11 goalkeeper saves.
The Player of the Game for the Devils was Taligwo Walker.
“Taligwo stepped it up in this game. He has really developed as a player in his first season of playing soccer,” said Cline.
The Devils travel to take on 3A Erwin on Thursday night for a 7 p.m. game. Then, the following week the Devils kick off their five home games to finish out the regular season. They will have two key conference matchups next week with Highlands on Monday at 6 p.m. and Blue Ridge on Thursday at 6 p.m. for Senior Night.
These games will determine the conference championship. Currently, the Devils are first in the Smoky Mountain Conference, one game ahead of Highlands and two games ahead of Blue Ridge.