Early showdown ends in a tie - Marin Independent Journal

GIRLS SOCCER

Early showdown ends in a tie

Bulls and Giants battle to a draw in league opener

Redwood’s Teagan McCormick, left, battles Branson’s Luna Diaz for the ball during Saturday’s girls soccer game.

Redwood goalkeeper Evie Dickerson makes a save against Branson during Saturday’s game at The Branson School in Ross.

Sarah Farese of Redwood moves in as Audrey Spaly of Branson passes the ball during Saturday’s game at The Branson School in Ross. The game ended in a 0-0 tie. PHOTOS BY SHERRY LAVARS — MARIN INDEPENDENT JOURNAL

Redwood’s Addison Ryba, left, defends against Luna Diaz of Branson during Saturday’s girls soccer game.

Image

By Ian Ross

iross@marinij.com

Last year’s two MCAL finalists opened up the league campaign against each other as The Branson School hosted Redwood High on Saturday.

Eighty minutes wasn’t enough to decide things in last year’s title game — eventually won by Branson on penalties — and the same was true this time around as the teams battled to a 0-0 stalemate.

“It was a classic Branson-Redwood matchup,” Branson coach Tyler Gottschalk said. “It’s going to be tight. It’s going to be fiercely contested. There were chances at both ends. Both teams were doing a solid job creating some dangerous moments. Both goalkeepers played well today, did the things they needed to do. For the first game of the regular season, that felt very much like a playoff game — that kind of intensity.”

The teams have played a series of close games over the years. You have to go back to the shortened spring campaign in 2021 to find the last time either team won by more than one goal.

“Branson is the favorite this year but if you go back to every Branson-Redwood game — no matter the standings — it’s always a one-goal or tied battle,” Redwood coach Ivan Bandov said. “I’m happy with how our kids played. They gave it their all. Branson had chances to win. We had chances to win.”

The teams have met in the past three MCAL title games with Redwood winning in 2022 and Branson winning in 2023 and 2024.

“We knew they were going to come into it, you know, it’s always a big rivalry,” Branson’s Whitney Collet said. “I think we’re happy with our performance today and just excited to get the season rolling.”

Branson (10-1-1, 0-0-1 MCAL) started the game incredibly quickly, creating arguably their two best chances inside the game’s first two minutes.

Sophia Duran crossed a dangerous ball to Catrin Howell inside the 18-yard box in the first minute. Howell’s header ricocheted off the crossbar before being cleared by Redwood’s back line.

Less than a minute later, Luna Diaz beat a pair of Redwood defenders to a ball and got in behind to fire a shot on goal that was parried wide left by goalie Evie Dickerson.

Branson’s other big chance of the game came in the 58th minute following a corner taken by Collet, who served a ball toward Duran at the back post. Redwood had a pair of defenders stationed at the there and they were able to block the shot and keep it out of the net.

Redwood (5-2-3, 0-0-1) created its best two chances in the final 20 minutes. The Giants played a ball into Branson’s box in the 63rd minute. Goalie Charlotte Houser came off her line as the ball ricocheted up off a Branson defender. Redwood’s Cora Champommier got a head to the ball but it went wide right.

Six minutes later, Redwood won a corner kick. Teagan McCormick served in a dangerous ball to Sarah Farese, who made strong contact with a header but the ball flashed just wide to the left.

“I think we’re content with a draw on the road with Branson but we still had moments where maybe we could have won so you still leave that little taste, you want to keep fighting the next time if we do see them again,” Bandov said.

By virtue of the draw, Redwood and Branson both begin the campaign looking up at the other two expected title contenders in the standings. Tam and Marin Catholic both opened up the season with wins.

Around the county

Addie Covey was involved in three goals — scoring two and assisting on another — as Tam opened league play with a 4-1 win against San Marin (2-4-0, 0-1-0) on Saturday. Covey opened and closed the scoring for the Red-tailed Hawks (6-2-4, 1-0-0), assisted by Allegra Andreoli and Tayrn Migliori, respectively. Andreoli scored the second goal off an assist by Lauren Willard, who went on the net the third goal, assisted by Covey.

• Alina Franchetti scored the game’s only goal as Marin Catholic held on for a 1-0 victory over Archie Williams (2-3-3, 0-1-0) on Saturday. Franchetti’s goal came following a corner kick taken by Sloane Carey. Finn Seymore had a clean sheet for MC (5-2-2, 1-0-0).

• Josie Quinby and Rashell Diaz both netted hat tricks as Terra Linda posted a 6-1 win against Novato on Saturday. Diaz had a pair of assists for TL (5-2-2, 1-0-0). Quinby, Nina Iyer, and Allie Marovich also had assists for the Trojans. Sienna Denmark scored for the Hornets (0-7-0, 0-1-0), assisted by Olaia De Luz.

• Ryder Higgins-Jones scored to lift San Rafael to a 1-0 win against San Domenico (2-2-2) on Saturday. Jaela Brown had the assist for the Bulldogs (8-2-0), who have won five consecutive games.

• Blythe DeGooyer scored twice as Marin Academy secured its second win of the week after rolling past Convent 6-0 on Friday. Sadie Goodenough had a goal and a pair of assists for MA (7-1-1, 2-0-0 BCL West) while Raya Leikin had a goal and an assist. Stina Mackay and Cece Dickinson added goals and Izzy Bergholt had an assist.