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By DAVE DOMESCIK | Staff Writer

HOOVER – With the season resting on her shoulders, Mallon Sigler calmly rocketed a ball in the back of the net to deliver the Briarwood Christian Lions a 1-0 (5-3) victory over the Spain Park Jaguars on the road in penalty kicks.

Head coach Ryan Leib’s team is now one step closer to making the championship game and repeating the feat they accomplished a season ago.

The loss marks another heartbreaking playoff exit for Robert Starr’s Spain Park squad, which lost in the first round as the undefeated top team in 7A on penalty kicks a year ago in the playoffs and had previously beaten Briarwood twice this season.

The game saw neither team score in regulation or extra time, ensuring a wild shootout finish. The first half saw both teams feel each other out with the Lions defense hounding Reese Oldfield and Addy Soehn, two of the Jaguars’ impact players.

Taylor Leib had an opportunity to score with 22:52 left in the first half, but Morgan Pritchett was there for the save for Spain Park. Seemingly every chance for both teams stalled due to great defense, with both teams unwilling to give an edge to their opposition.

Oldfield had a beautiful chance for the Jaguars with around seven minutes left in the first half, weaving through defenders and getting a shot off on goal. The Mississippi State commit could not capitalize, and the game moved to the second half knotted in a scoreless draw.

The second half saw more of the same, with Briarwood’s defense swarming Oldfield and Spain Park’s attack at every chance. The Lions also stalled offensively frequently. With around five minutes left in the half, Pritchett made an outstanding save from close range to keep the game scoreless and the Jaguars’ hopes alive.

The first and second periods of extra time saw very little offensive opportunities for either side with exhaustion also starting to creep in from the sweltering spring heat. With the game still scoreless, penalty kicks ensued.

Saylor Eighmy squared off with Pritchett to start the fireworks. Pritchett saved Eighmy’s chance, but Pritchett committed a violation during the save, giving Eighmy another chance. She capitalized, and Briarwood went up 1-0.

Soehn then matched up with Lions keeper Catherine Walker. Soehn’s shot was errant, giving Briarwood an early advantage in the shootout.

Taylor Mathews then converted the Lions next attempt, making it 2-0 Briarwood. Oldfield then broke the Jaguars’ drought, moving the score to 2-1. Ellie Rushing made it 3-1 Briarwood, and Morgan Anthony subsequently made it 3-2 with a goal.

Taylor Leib then scored on Pritchett to make it 4-2, setting up a must-make for Spain Park. Josie Gray blasted a shot over the head of Walker, keeping the Jaguars’ season alive. However, this set up Sigler for the game-winner, sending the Lions’ faithful into a frenzy and stunning the Spain Park home crowd.

With the win, Briarwood advances in the next round of the Class 6A Playoffs against the Northridge Jaguars on Friday, May 2 at 6 p.m. at Lions Pride Stadium.