SANTA MARIA, Calif - The Branham boys soccer team wrapped up play in the Pioneer Valley Soccer Extravaganza with a pair of goalless draws against the host schools Saturday afternoon.
Branham (3-1-2) tied Santa Maria 0-0 to continue an unbeaten run at the tournament in Santa Maria. The Bruins had the better chances in the first half, with the best falling to sophomore Jin Lee, whose header from close range went just over the bar. The Saints (12-0-2) pressed late for the winner but were denied on a saving tackle from junior Max Sharp and a great reflex save by senior goalkeeper Tanner Lanphear, who dove to his left to preserve the shutout.
The Bruins finished the tournament without allowing a single goal as they tied Pioneer Valley 0-0 later in the day in a choppy affair. Freshman Ian Hutt had the game's best chance in the first half when he rounded the keeper but shot just wide into the side netting.
Branham opened play in the Extravaganza with a 4-0 win over Morro Bay on Friday evening. The Bruins started fast with a goal in the third minute when junior Jaeson Gonzalez dribbled past several defenders and laid a pass right in front of goal for junior Jack Cassell-McClellan for a tap-in to make it 1-0. Branham extended the lead 10 minutes later when junior Tim Kozine lofted a cross from the right side that was headed in by Gonzalez to make it 2-0.
The Bruins got another goal midway through the first half when Lee played a ball through for Hutt, who notched his first varsity goal to make it 3-0. Junior Cole Williams closed out the scoring with a goal off an assist from junior Lucas Cuellar.
Hutt scored for the second consecutive match to lift Branham to a 1-0 win over Nipomo on Friday night. Hutt got on the end of a long pass from senior Derek Hogan in the first minute of the second half and raced past a defender into the penalty area. He finished with a low right-footed shot for the game's only goal. The Bruins were never seriously threatened as they held Nipomo without a shot the entire match. But the Nipomo defense held firm despite allowing a total of 15 shots.
Branham begins league play Thursday at home against Overfelt.
