The Branson girls soccer team has been playing amazing this season, and the morale of the team is off the charts.

It’s not just the team that’s been great this year, the support has also been great. Superfan and dance teacher Alex Escalante has seen them play a lot this year. Besides the incredible soccer showings, he emphasizes the character and grit that the girls play with, and it’s rubbed off on his own daughters.

“They are learning so much from these incredible players on the team and it’s an inspiration for my daughters.” Escalante said.

“The team environment and community has been different than any other team I’ve played on in the past,” Charlotte Houser ’26, girls soccer captain, said. “All of the girls are super close on the team … and that’s part of the reason I’ve stuck with it for four years.” 

In particular, the joy and team camaraderie that they play with are a big part of the reason for their success. 

“We have a motto on the team, ‘Stay Joyous’ … I think this is one of the reasons why the team is doing super well because it’s always super positive, and everyone has so much love and excitement for each other,” Houser said.

The consistency of the team’s soccer coaches has also been a major factor for their achievements.

“The coaching has been great. I’ve had the same two coaches [Tyler Gottschalk and Ben Swann] all four years,” Houser said. “I think they’re really good. They really believe in the team, … and they’re there to pick us up when we’re down.”

Escalante hopes that Branson’s team can finish strong this season.

“I’ve been watching them since my first or second year here, and I’m hoping that they can keep developing and getting stronger and to go all the way. I’ll hopefully be there to watch!”