Rios Lifts Hayesville Past Swain, 3-2

(Photo by Travis Dockery)

Francisco Rios eyes the ball as the Jackets advance against Swain's defenders. Rios bookended Hayesville's scoring with a pair of goals.

By Travis Dockery

Sportswriter

HAYESVILLE, N.C. — Francisco Rios scored two goals, including the game-winner with 17 minutes left, as Hayesville held off a Swain County comeback for a 3-2 victory Wednesday, Oct. 21, in a Smoky Mountain Conference match at Frank R. Long Memorial Stadium.

Rios opened the scoring at the 36:53 mark of the first half, putting the ball in the net off a corner kick from Jackson Dye to give the Yellow Jackets a 1-0 lead.

Adiel Hernandez doubled the advantage at the 33:08 mark of the first half, and Hayesville (10-5) carried a 2-0 lead into halftime.

Swain County (0-13-2) refused to go quietly. The Maroon Devils cut the lead in half with a goal at the 27:15 mark of the second half, then tied the match 2-2 with 20:43 left to play.

Rios answered with his second goal of the match with just 17 minutes left on the clock, putting Hayesville ahead for good, and the Yellow Jackets' defense protected the one-goal margin the rest of the way.

The win was Hayesville's third straight and completed a season sweep of the Maroon Devils, who fell to the Yellow Jackets 2-0 in Bryson City on Sept. 21.

Hayesville is back home Monday, Oct. 26, hosting Tri-County Early College at 4 p.m. at Frank R. Long Memorial Stadium. The Yellow Jackets won the first meeting between the teams 3-0 on Sept. 23.