BURTON — For the second time in program history, the West Branch girls soccer team captured district honors.
The 10th-seeded Warriors defeated 3rd-seeded Southeast 6-0 to win the Division IV Burton District championship.
“It feels so good.” Said West Division first-year coach Zachary Dean. “We have great girls who have worked hard all year long and it paid off this year.”
The Warriors controlled the pace from the first kick and didn’t stop once the goals started coming.
They kept it simple. I enjoy their game, their style, and each step of the process.
“We just play our game and play our brand of football.” Dean said. “We just have to take each moment and enjoy the process and just move the ball and play our game.”
Junior Allie Brammer started the scoring for the Warriors, finding the back of the net 13 minutes into the game. Brammer’s scoring trend started Saturday with a hat trick.
“She is a great leader and works very hard.” Dean said. “I’m happy to see that pay off in the regional finals.”
The 10th-seeded Warriors continued to fill the net in the first half, with Presley Egli and Aligny Bacconi each scoring.
Brammer started the second half with his second goal just five minutes into the period.
Emma Klingensmith broke one point and Brammer stopped the game with minutes left.
Dean, who attended West Branch’s first district championship as an assistant coach in 2022, said he was even more nervous after taking over the program this year.
But he believed in the team.
“I feel great, I’m not going to lie.” Dean said. “It’s a great feeling, pretty good. … I was a little nervous, but I believe in my girls and I knew they would do well.”
Having a strong leadership team on the roster helped with that transition.
“It was an easy transition to take the step from an assistant to a head coaching role.” Dean said. “It was easy to fit in because I knew a lot of the girls. The girls are great and do everything I ask of them. They’re a great group of girls.”
Replacing last year’s nine seniors will not be easy, but the Warriors rose to the task.
“We are a young team and lost a lot of seniors, so a lot of players had to step up and fill varsity roles.” Dean said. “(This season) I’m just going to step up and play.”
West Branch will play Chagrin Falls in the Region 13 semifinals on Tuesday in Twinsburg. Start time is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.