LADY AMBASSADORS GOLD 03 VETERAN COACH SHAWN MARLOW believes this team is special because of how they get along and support each other. It consists of players from a variety of schools including Briarwood Christian, Westminster, Oak Mountain, Vestavia, Chelsea, Thompson, Spain Park, and Hilltop Montessori. “If you could be fun-loving and tenacious at the same time — that would be this team,” Marlow says. “We have fun in both practice and games. They truly love and care for each other.” But don’t let the fun fool you — the girls mean business. “The team communicates well and supports each other on the field, including talking and encouraging each other,” Marlow says. “Communication between coaches and players is excellent.” Matt Sato and Lee Cheslock assist Marlow. This is a strong defensive team that presses to win the ball back in attacking third and middle third of the field, then drops off and defends tenaciously in the defensive third. “We are very good at defending set plays. We only gave up one or two goals this year off of set plays,” Marlow points out. The team tries to switch the field of attack by playing through the defense and the goalkeeper and back out the other side. They try and build out of the back using their goalkeeper. Even though this team did not win many games this year, it was competitive in each one. “We improved greatly toward the end of the fall season and I expect them be a tremendous team this spring,” Marlow says. With the help of team chaplain Scott Watson, “Briarwood strives for excellence while using the sport of soccer to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ.”
Front: Ansleigh Davis, Katherine Rasco, Camila Lopez, Koharu Takahashi, Selah Whitley, Caroline Bannon, Cally Watson, Ameila Frost Back: Alyssa Lightsey, Grace Flowers, Mary-Paige McDonald, Savannah Sato, Kali McCullough, Taylor Pilcher, Alexandra Cheslock Not pictured: Coach Shawn Marlow, Assistant Coaches Matt Sato and Lee Cheslock, Team Chaplain Scott Watson