Preps of the week: Branson soccer players shine before holidays - Marin Independent Journal

Both the Branson boys and girls soccer teams topped undefeated Marin Catholic squads thanks to clutch assists from a pair of Bulls over the weekend.

Also on the pitch, a Terra Linda attacker led the Trojans to their fourth win in a row while a San Rafael defender helped the Bulldogs pick up their first MCAL victory of the season just before the holidays.

And on the court, forwards from Tam and San Marin continued their teams red-hot starts before they enter a brief winter break.

Caitlin Evers, Branson girls soccer

Evers broke a scoreless deadlock for Branson (4-1-2, 1-1-2 MCAL), then added insurance all in the span of two minutes on Saturday. In the 59th minute, she finished a feed from Eliana Prosnitz to give the Bulls a 1-0 advantage. Before Marin Catholic’s defense could recover, Evers set up Abby Dillon for another goal to seal the Wildcats’ first loss of the season.

Connor Thorp, Branson boys soccer

Entering this weekend’s showdown against Branson, Marin Catholic’s defense had only surrendered one goal in three league contests. But Thorp broke through in the 56th minute, stealing a failed clearance in front of the goal and finding a wide-open Paris Manthoulis for the lead. The goal proved to be the game winner in the Bulls’ 1-0 victory over the previously-undefeated Wildcats (3-1-1, 2-1-1).

“Connor has kind of come into his own this season,” Branson coach John Sansone said. “You saw his maturation on that play when he dished off to a teammate. In the past, he probably would have taken the shot instead of passing.”

Jackie Lancaster, San Rafael girls soccer

The reigning All-MCAL First Team defender was involved on both of San Rafael’s goals on Saturday as the Bulldogs (3-4, 1-3-0) earned their first league victory of the season, 2-1, against Novato. Lancaster assisted Ashley Mejia on the first score before burying the game winner.

Tyler Bell, Terra Linda boys soccer

Tyler Bell found the back of the net midway through the second half to lift Terra Linda (4-0-1, 4-0-1) to a 1-0 victory against Tam (2-3-1, 2-2-1). TL won its fourth game in a row — following a tie against Drake in the opener — and extended its lead over the league to five points.

Ariel Anderson, San Marin girls basketball

Anderson led San Marin in scoring as the Mustangs (10-3, 3-0) extended their winning streak to four games with a pair of victories in the past week. On Friday, the forward posted a monster line of 25 points, five steals and four blocks in San Marin’s 41-38 win against Marin Catholic. Then on Saturday, Anderson added 13 points as the Mustangs cruised past Campolindo, 46-34. Anderson and San Marin next visit Terra Linda on Jan. 2 in what figures to be a battle between playoff contenders.

Dylan Reed, Tam boys basketball

With his brother, Tyler, playing on a hurt ankle, Dylan Reed stepped up to score a game-high 16 points in Tam’s 44-41 victory over rival Redwood. Dylan drilled a pair of free throws with 20.2 free throws remaining to put the Red-tailed Hawks (7-3, 3-0) ahead by three points before a heave by Giants forward Tommy Quanstrom hit off back iron.