Redwood edges Branson to stay perfect
Giants move to 8-0 as junior scores twice in 2-0 victory over Branson
First-year Redwood coach Ivan Bandov has already seen enough skill and technique from Bri Salvetti during this shortened season to consider her the best finisher on his team. Salvetti lived up to that reputation on Wednesday against Branson, scoring both goals to lead the Redwood High girls soccer team to a 2-0 victory.
Salvetti’s skill and touch were on full display in the 11th minute of the game. Redwood earned a corner taken by Avery Jones, who served the ball in toward Salvetti at the near post. With a quick flick of her heel — a Cruyff touch, a skill named after legendary Dutch player Johan Cruyff — Salvetti redirected the ball into the back of the net for a 1-0 lead.
Salvetti struck again in the 49th minute after Maya Rembrandt crossed the ball into Branson’s six-yard box. Branson goalie Patricia DePalma got an important touch on the ball to divert it away from Redwood striker Shannon Watridge but the ball instead found its way to Salvetti who scored to double Redwood’s advantage.
“I ran (toward the) front post then I circled back around and recycled my run and waited at the back post,” Salvetti said of her
second goal. “I was waiting for the ball to come through and it did and I tapped it in.”
From there, Redwood used a combination of defense and ball possession to finish off the shutout to remain perfect on the season.
“They keep the ball and move the ball so well,” Branson coach Tyler Gottschalk said. “They have quality on both sides of the ball and today Bri Salvetti made a couple of special plays like she does. She’s got so much class around the goal and the two finishes were sublime.
“The timing of her runs to arrive in the right spot, she’s got a great feel for that and both finishes were fantastic. Those are finishes that pros would feel good about.”
Salvetti’s first goal sent Redwood into the half with a 1-0 lead but Gottschalk had a tactical move up his sleeve that nearly paid dividends in the early stages of the second half.
Gottschalk moved Avery Hansen from the back line to the front line to try and generate some more pressure on Redwood’s goal. Branson’s best opportunity of the game came in the 45th minute following a free kick near midfield taken by Lena Sugrue.
The ball ricocheted back out to Hansen just outside the 18-yard box. Hansen tried to curl one in from range past Redwood goalie Mia Hamant but the ball sailed just high.
“As the game went on we got more control,” Bandov said. “Early second half, Branson came out strong in the first 5-7 minutes so we had to absorb that a bit. After that I think we did a good job to control the game, move the ball around and find the gaps.”
Four minutes later, Salvetti
put Redwood ahead 2-0.
“On the second goal, Patricia got a hand to it so now the ball changed directions as it was already in flight,” Gottscahlk said. “(Salvetti) adjusted her body and caught it so cleanly.”
The Giants improved to 8-0-0 overall, having already gone 4-0-0 against the other perennially strong teams in the MCAL. The Giants close the season with games against Archie Williams and Terra Linda next week.
Although there’s no pennant to be won this season, Salvetti said her teammates are focused on trying to finish the season without a blemish on their record.
“It’s still important for us because for our seniors this is their last year,” Salvetti said. “We want to finish the season off strong. The rivalry games are really important to us as well. Even if there’s no MCAL championship, it’s all bragging rights for now.”