Hayesville Holds Off Blue Ridge Early College, 2-1

(Photo by Travis Dockery)

Colin Walker fights for possession against a Bobcat. Walker would go on to score what would ultimately be the deciding goal.

By Travis Dockery

Sportswriter

Hayesville, N.C. —Josue Salas and Colin Walker scored first-half goals, and Hayesville made them stand up Monday night, beating Blue Ridge Early College 2-1 in a Smoky Mountain Conference boys soccer match.

Salas opened the scoring at the 11:39 mark of the first half, putting the Yellow Jackets (9-5) in front 1-0. Walker doubled the lead with 1:36 left before halftime, scoring to give Hayesville a 2-0 advantage at the break.

Blue Ridge (7-5-2) cut the deficit in half with a goal at the 12:43 mark of the second half, but the Bobcats could not find an equalizer, and Hayesville's defense protected the one-goal margin the rest of the way.

The win completed a season sweep of Blue Ridge for Hayesville, which also beat the Bobcats 1-0 on the road Sept. 16. It was the Yellow Jackets' second straight victory, following a 5-1 rout of Cherokee on Wednesday, Oct. 15.

Salas has been a steady finisher for Hayesville — he also scored the Yellow Jackets' lone goal in a 2-1 loss to Highlands on Oct. 7.

Hayesville is back home Wednesday, Oct. 21, hosting Swain County at 4 p.m.