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The Maroon Devils defeated Cherokee at home
Jessica Webb
editor@thesmokymountaintimes.com
The Maroon Devils varsity soccer team began a full schedule of conference games last week with a 5-0 win over the Cherokee Braves on Wednesday, Oct. 19 at home for Senior Night.
Senior Canon Helpman led the team with a whopping 16 for the game, followed by senior Spencer Rowland with 5 and sophomore Max Wilmot with 4.
Senior Matthew Gray led in scoring with 3 goals followed by Landon Matz, senior, with 2. Assists came from Clayton Shuler, Mason Devine and Matz. In the goal, Senior C. Phillips had 7 saves.
Maroon Devil Gavin Rowland #8 was named the Player of the Game.
On Thursday, the team had its second conference loss of the season when they traveled to Cashiers to play against Blue Ridge Early College Bobcats.
Spencer Rowland was named Player of the Game.
On Monday, the Devils traveled to take on the Highlanders for the final regular season game in what was bound to be a competitive night of conference play. The night ended with the Highlanders ahead by one winning 3-1.
Connecting with the net Monday was Gray and Matz, who also provided the assists for their teammates. On defense, Helpman once again led in steals with 15 total followed by senior Gavin Rowland with 14 and Spencer Rowland with 8.
The true test on Monday was for goalkeeper C. Phillips who defended the post well with a total of 25 saves.
Matz was named Player of the Game. Despite the hard-fought loss, it was one for the books.
With Matz scoring, he reached his 100th career goal and is the first male soccer player in Swain County history to reach the milestone.
The Maroon Devils are 11-10 overall and 11-3 in conference and are ranked 3rd in the Smoky Mountain Conference.
The Devils will likely be on the road Monday for the first round of playoffs. Seeding will be announced on Friday.