But the Branham junior got involved in the offense last week, and it helped the Bruins nail a 2-0 non-league victory over Pioneer.

Drasny took a pass from Megan Wall and drove it home for a first-half goal that gave the Bruins a 1-0 lead against the Mustangs.

"It was a brilliant shot from 30 yards out," said Branham coach Ron Smare.

Ashley Allison, a three year letter winner and last year's Junior of the Year in the Santa Teresa Division of the Blossom Valley Athletic League, scored the second goal off an assist from Lauren Jenness in the second half.

The Bruins clinched the win with opportunistic offense and solid defense. The coach said that Drasney played "outstanding as a center back" and he singled out goalkeeper Jessica Whittimore for notching a shutout in her first varsity game.

Smare has high hopes for his Bruins this winter, despite the fact that Allison is one of just three seniors on the Branham roster.

"We have a very young team, but we hope to do well," he said. "We have good talent returning. We hope to continue Branham's successful tradition in women's soccer."

That tradition includes a West Valley Division championship in 2001 and a 9-2-1 record in the Santa Teresa Division last year. The Bruins finished 11-5-2 overall last season.

Allison tops that talented crop of Branham returners. The senior forward is one of five comeback all-leaguers. Senior defender Carlie Peck is a three-time all-league returner for the Bruins and Jenness, a junior midfielder, won all-league honors last year after winning Freshman of the Year honors the season before.

Junior midfielder Ashley Madrigal won an all-league spot last year and Drasny was an all-leaguer in 2001.

Rounding out the list of talented varsity returners for the Bruins this season include senior midfielder Nicole Morousci, junior midfielder Ashley Bay, junior defender Wall and sophomore forward Megan O'Keefe.

Whittimore tops a cast of talented newcomers on the Branham field this winter. The junior keeper was the junior varsity Most Valuable Player in the Santa Teresa Division last year.

Junior defenders Alex Nelson, Anne-Marie Wilesv and Lisa Cahillens, sophomore defender Kat Marashiam, soph forward Leticia Soto, freshman forward Jenna Saenz, freshman defender Nicole Duente and freshman midfielder Andrew Lopez are other top prospects.