Coming off a district championship campaign, the Brownwood Lady Lions soccer program is sending its leading goal scorer in 2025 to the college ranks as Braycee Lee on Wednesday signed to continue her athletic and academic career at Howard Payne.

The District 5-4A Offensive MVP as a senior, Lee recorded 25 goals with 18 assists. For her high school career, Lee finished with 64 goals scored.

“I’m thankful to have had a healthy four years with no injuries to have this opportunity,” Lee said.

Regarding why she chose HPU, Lee said, “I still have siblings growing up here and I want to be here for all that. I don’t think I’m ready to leave my family quite yet.”

In the classroom, Lee intends to pursue a degree in nursing.

“My mom’s part of the nursing program, so everyone’s like family to me already,” Lee said.

Due to the family connection, Lee stated she never entertained attending any other colleges.

Regarding her fondest memories as a Lady Lion soccer standout, Lee said, “My senior year stood out most to me. I had already committed before the season started so I wanted to finish on a good note. I ended up leading the teams in goals, so that was huge, especially as a midfielder.”

Lee was also a member of the Lady Lions state championship track and field team, competing on the silver medalist 4×400 relay in Austin last week.

“We went into the 4×4 not thinking we would get on the medal stand and we shaved off six seconds, which is over a second for each runner,” Lee said. “That was huge and really shocking.”

As for what she will miss most about Brownwood High, Lee said, “All of my friends. I’ve ran with a lot of my friends and played sports with a lot of my friends since seventh grade, so going to play somewhere else is going to be new, but it’ll be good.”

The Lady Lions finished the 2025 soccer season with an 18-5-1 record – most wins and fewest losses in a season – under head coach Alexis Walker, and split the District 5-4A championship with Stephenville.