By Pat Dailey (For OzarkSportsZone.com)
As Kyle Sutton moves from assistant to head coach at Branson, he’s thinking the Lady Pirates have a good chance at completing their program’s first winning season in four years.
“I believe that our group is highly motivated to show that we can compete with everyone in our area,” Sutton said. “I see no reason that we can’t have a record above .500 and compete in our conference and district.”
Branson welcomes back seven starters from last season’s 7-8 team.
Sarah Cox is the leading returning scorer. She posted six goals a year ago.
“Sarah is a dynamic forward who combines her high soccer IQ with her technical ability to add to our frontline,” Sutton said. “Sarah brings a plethora of soccer experience to our group and will be a great leader in our group.”
Taylee Wilkerson also figures to be one of Branson’s primary leaders. She netted four goals and two assists a year ago.
“Taylee is a great all-around athlete who is skillful and quick on the ball,” Sutton said. “Her ability really shows in the attacking third, where she is able to show off her creativity. She works extremely hard and is a great leader on and off the field.”
Other offensive threats for the Lady Pirates include Laura Beth Farmer and Neeley Houston.
“Laura Beth is a very smart and physical midfielder. She is always looking for ways to do the dirty work for our team,” Sutton said. “L.B. has developed a solid technical ability over the past couple years that she will be eager to add to her already effective play.
“Neeley is an extremely hard working, athletic and coachable winger,” he added. “Her season was cut short last year due to an ankle injury. She will be looking to have a greater impact in the attacking half this year and build on top of a very positive season last year.”
The Lady Pirates will be looking to improve on their 3.1 goals against average from last season. That was the highest mark for the program since 2019.
Returning defenders include Brylee Farmer, Savi Engel and Remington Holmes. Farmer was an All-Ozark Mountain Conference First-Team choice as a sophomore a year ago.
“Brylee is a physical, athletic, and high soccer IQ defender who will hold down the backline for us,” Sutton said. “Savi is an extremely athletic defender who has developed rapidly over the last couple of seasons. She will be leaned on for a lot of leadership this season. (She is) another great leader on and off the field.
“Remi is one of the most coachable players you will ever meet,” he added. “She has grown tremendously as a person and a player in the past couple years and will be leaned on heavily this year for leadership quality in the back.”
Newcomers will fill out the rest of the Lady Pirates’ lineup, with Sutton expecting good competition in practices.
“We have a lot of girls who are looking to compete and earn these spots,” he said. “I am excited to see the work that everyone has put in during the offseason and who will earn their way into the starting lineup.”
Sutton, who also took over as Branson’s boys head coach last fall, is looking forward to combining the lessons he learned as a player and an assistant from Brenner with his own principles to shape both of his programs.
“I always knew I wanted to stay in sports in some aspect after I was done playing. Coaching is the most hands-on way of staying around the game,” Sutton said. “When you’ve spent so long around one person, it is hard to deny their influence. Coach Brenner taught me a lot about being a good person and a good player at the same time. I definitely carry those things with me to this day.
“I am excited for the chance to carry the program forward with new ideas and philosophies to add on to the strong foundation that coach Brenner has already established in our program,” he added. “I have learned a lot about myself in this jump from assisting to running the program. Obviously, the position requires a lot more from me. But I have loved the opportunity to own the development of players in a community that has given me so much.”
Branson will debut by hosting its 13th Annual Lady Pirates Classic March 26-28. The Lady Pirates will take part in the Kickapoo Shootout in mid-April.
