By Denise Tucker (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
The Branson High School girls’ soccer team is loaded and ready to make some noise this season.
“We will be returning nine starters and 16 girls who got varsity time last year,” said Brandon Scott, who enters his fifth season as head coach (44-48-3). “We are very excited to have that much varsity experience coming back this season. We will be returning 92 percent of our offense, and all but one of our starting defenders.”
The Lady Pirates, who finished 10-10 overall, lost four players to graduation in 2017, including two who were full-time starters all four years; forward Maggie Lemley and defender Sara McDowell.
Lemley scored 16 goals in her career and played almost every position during those four years, including goalkeeper her freshman year. McDowell started for three years in center back, and was a “shutdown defender.” Both players also were All-District selections.
Back for her senior season is Branson’s all-time leader in scoring and assists – McKenzie Duncan. The midfielder/forward has 45 goals and 24 assists for her career, and is a three-time All-District and All-COC selection and was named All-Region last year.
Senior Lauren Garrison is back in goal for the Lady Pirates. Garrison has 465 saves and 24 shutouts for her career, and is a three-time All-District and All-COC honoree and was All-Region in 2016.
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Five more seniors return for their final season: Isabell Holloway (forward, 7 goals, two-time All-District), Grace Bartell (defender, two-time All-District), Samantha Pichardo (midfielder, two-time All-District), Alexis Ramirez (defender, All-District 2017) and Bailey Barber (defender, All-District 2017).
“We finished second last year in the district, and our players are really focused on the big picture and are going to use each day as an opportunity to prepare for the chance to change that to a first-place finish,” Scott said. “Last season was our first time as a program to reach a district championship game (a goal going into 2017), and with so many players returning, we are hungry to change the outcome of that game.”
The Lady Pirates defeated Republic 2-1 (PK) in the Class 4 District 11 semifinals before falling 8-0 to Nixa in the final.
Scott will be looking to the newcomers to add to his team’s depth.
“There are several incoming players we are excited about this year,” Scott said. “A few moved in this school year and we have a very talented freshman class, which will help build and contribute to the varsity level.
“We are looking to have good numbers this year and quality numbers to help create competition for playing time and starting spots at every position.”
And that depth will be one of the Lady Pirates’ biggest strengths this season.
“We have two or three girls at each position fighting every day for a starting spot and playing time,” Scott said. “Over time, this really improves the quality and consistency that you get out of your players. Uniquely, with that depth, we still have a very close group that is always there for each other.”
Branson will open the season in the Fair Grove Tournament on March 16-17.
“Each day we come to practice with the mind-set that soccer is fun, but also knowing that we have to put everything we have into it for our teammates and our school,” Scott said. “We represent a lot more people than just those in a jersey and our players take pride in that each and every moment of the day.
“This creates a fun and focused atmosphere that allows our players to hold each other accountable to our high standards and push each other daily.”
