Lisle falls to Manteno for third time

The persistent thorn in Lisle's side scratched the Lions yet again Friday night.

The Lisle girls soccer team, playing in the state finals for the first time, stumbled against Interstate Eight Conference rival Manteno for the third time in two months, this time dropping a Class 1A semifinal match 2-0 at North Central College.

The Lions found themselves on the wrong side of a 4-0 decision to Manteno on March 26 before blowing a 2-goal lead on May 4 in an eventual 3-2 overtime loss.

Lisle knew it had to contain Panthers forward Allie Newsom in order to have a shot at advancing, but the Manteno senior captain proved too tough to handle. Newsom scored both Panther goals, each from nearly 30 yards away from the Lions' net.

"They have (Newsom) up front, and she can hit from anywhere," Lisle forward Nicole Urban said.

The Lions (16-8-2) nearly battled Manteno to a scoreless first half before Newsom scored her first goal - a beautiful, turnaround, left-legged strike that sailed over goalkeeper Vanessa Roach and found the far high post with 1:37 remaining in the half.

"We were forcing her to her left all night, and she refused it," Lisle coach Paul Kohorn said. "She finally took it and she hit a great shot."

After shadowing Newsom throughout the first half, Lisle decided to return to its standard offensive game plan in an attempt to knot the game at 1-1.

"At halftime we discussed as a team whether we wanted to continue to man-mark her, or do we want to return to our regular offense and try to score on them," Kohorn said. "Everyone agreed we should go down fighting."

Newsom's second tally 23:23 into the second half nearly mirrored her score in the first, as she once again settled a free ball before finding the far high post with her right leg.

Despite losing their shot at the state championship, the Lions improved leaps and bounds over the last year's time, which lost 2-1 in the regional semifinals. Lisle will meet Rockford Lutheran or at 5:30 p.m. Saturday to determine third place.

"It's my dream. As a senior, it was one of my goals to make it to state," midfielder Emily DeLong said. "I'm just excited that we're here, and it's an experience. I'm leaving with a bang."

While winning always adds to the fun, Kohorn thoroughly enjoyed his experience with the 2010 Lions.

"I love this team. It's been a real good bunch of girls," a smiling Kohorn said.