Congratulations to the Briarwood Christian Lady Lions soccer team for winning the AHSAA, Class 5A state title last weekend at Joe Hunt Park in Huntsville.

At the same time, congratulations to the Briarwood Lady&8217;s for being next year&8217;s hand-down favorite to repeat as

the 5A state champions.

The Lady Lions dominated most of their opponents this year on their way to a 20-4-0 overall record and the state title win over Huntsville.

They finished the season ranked first in Class 5A girls.

They finished the year with 13 shutouts, including three in the state playoffs.

They scored five-or-more goals nine times this season, including three 10-goal mercy rule victories.

They won 15 of their final 16 games on the way to hoisting the first-place trophy.

They accomplished all of these things, despite only having two seniors on the roster.

Lauren Ketcham and Claire Palmer have been key leaders to the Lady Lions&8217; success this season.

As they graduate from BCS they are followed by a young ensemble of underclassmen who have already proven that they are state champion caliber.

The 2007 Briarwood Lady Lions will be led by one of this year&8217;s three captains in junior defender Leslie Jennings.

The BCS squad had three underclassmen named to the Alabama All-Showcase soccer team, including junior forward Morgan Haney, junior defender Callie O&8217;Steen and sophomore midfielder Haley Taylor.

Goalkeeper Deborah Ross was a dominant force in goal for Briarwood this year. Only a sophomore, Ross is well on her way to becoming one of BCS&8217;s most dominant net-minders.

The Lady Lions dominated in 2006 with only two seniors on the roster.

It&8217;s scary to think what they have the capability of doing next season with the returning players currently on their roster