Redwood vs. Branson: You Won't Believe What Happened in This 1-1 Draw! Shocking Twist Inside!

The rivalry in Marin County high school girls' soccer intensified once more as the Branson Bulls faced off against the Redwood Giants in a closely contested match on January 14, 2026, in Larkspur, California. The two programs have clashed in numerous MCAL (Marin County Athletic League) title games since the pandemic, highlighting their longstanding competitive spirit.

The match ended in a 1-1 draw, with each team showcasing its strengths and resilience. Redwood's Lily O'Shea broke the deadlock in the 58th minute, giving the Giants a 1-0 lead. However, Branson's Giselle Hernandez equalized just 13 minutes later, ensuring that neither team walked away with a defeat.

“We knew it was going to be a tight game,” said Branson coach Tyler Gottschalk. “Regardless of what Redwood’s record is, they’re always a quality team. They are so hard to score on. They’re perennial winners. They know how to win.”

Branson entered the match with a record of 11-1-2 overall and 2-0-1 in the MCAL, while Redwood's record stood at 4-3-4 and 1-0-2 in league play. The first 20 minutes of the game saw Branson dominate possession, although Redwood gradually found its footing as the half progressed. A promising opportunity came for Branson when Julia Myerberg fired a strong shot on target, but Redwood goalkeeper Evie Dickerson was ready to make the stop.

Redwood began the second half with spirited energy, creating its best chance of the game in the 42nd minute. Caitlin Titcombe played a diagonal ball to Lauren Ellington, whose shot was again saved by Branson goalie Charlotte Houser.

The breakthrough came in the 58th minute when Zoe Clark made a run down the right and sent a cross into the box. The ball deflected off Titcombe and found O'Shea, who struck it firmly into the net. “I shot it, hoped for the best, and it went in,” O'Shea reflected on the pivotal moment.

Just minutes later, Branson sought to respond. Myerberg got into a dangerous position, unleashing a powerful shot that hit a Redwood defender and deflected for a corner kick. The Bulls’ equalizer arrived in the 71st minute following a well-coordinated play. Tait Anderson, who had shifted from left back to right back, won the ball around midfield and advanced down the right flank. She found Cat Howell in the center, who then played a weighted pass to Hernandez on the left side.

“I saw Tait playing it to Cat, and I decided to go for it,” Hernandez recalled. She skillfully slotted the ball past Dickerson, leveling the score at 1-1. Gottschalk praised the teamwork involved in the goal, emphasizing the clever passing and timing that made it possible against a tough Redwood defense.

As the match neared its conclusion, Branson had a chance to snatch all three points when Myerberg won a free kick just outside the box. However, her attempt was thwarted by Dickerson, who collected the ball cleanly, sealing the draw.

Around the County

• Lily-Rose Espinasse and CeCi Murdoch scored for Tam in a 2-0 victory over San Marin (7-3-3, 1-1-1) on Wednesday. Coach Dave Presher noted the impressive development of his center-back pairing.
• Marin Catholic tied for first place with Branson after a 3-0 win over Archie Williams (4-7-0, 0-3-0). Nora Snearly assisted the first goal and scored the third, leading MC (3-3-3, 2-0-1).
• Terra Linda had a commanding 8-0 victory against Novato (1-6-1, 0-2-0), with Mila Pastor scoring the final two goals.
• Marin Academy extended its unbeaten streak to five games with a 0-0 tie against University on Wednesday.
• San Domenico faced a challenging 6-0 loss to Urban, continuing a scoring drought that has now lasted three games.

The competitive landscape of high school soccer in Marin County is heating up as teams like Branson and Redwood continue to push each other to new heights. As the season progresses, fans can expect more thrilling matchups and standout performances from these dedicated athletes.