Sports
Lisberger Still Flying with Eagles Soccer Club
Brentwood School alum reunites with her Camarillo team to chase a fourth U.S. title.
Ever since she first laced up a pair of cleats, Amanda Lisberger has been setting records on the soccer field. She did so in four stellar high school years at Brentwood School and now the 21-year-old is on the brink of a history-making feat with her "other" Eagles team.
The Eagles SC of Camarillo are reuniting this summer to try to do what no team has ever done before… win a fourth age-specific national soccer championship. Now a junior midfielder at the University of Texas in Austin, Lisberger was a key member of her club team's back-to-back state championships in 2007-08 and scored the game-winning goal on a header in '07 to earn MVP honors by Fox Soccer Channel.
Under head coach Vince Thomas and assistant Michael Alexander, the Eagles won two United States Youth Soccer National titles – the Under 14 crown in 2004 and the Under 17 Championship in 2007. They are six-time Cal South state champions (2004, ‘07, ‘08, ‘09, ’10, ‘11) and two-time state finalists (2005, ‘06).
In 2010, on summer break from college, the Eagles defeated Arizona Rush Nike in the U23 final to become only the second side in the 32-year history of women’s youth and adult championships ever to win three U.S. National titles.
Colorado Rush of Littleton, Colorado won the U17, U18 and U19 championships in 1999-2001. On July 14–16 at Lovers Lane Soccer Complex in Bowling Green, Kentucky, the Eagles will attempt to repeat as the U23 titleholders and, in doing so, win an unprecedented fourth U.S. title.
“It's amazing what this team has accomplished starting when they were just 13-year-olds,” Thomas said. “Now, as young women, they have a chance to do what no team ever has. To win a fourth national title would secure their legacy; however, there are so many incredibly talented teams in Cal South (Southern California), to be crowned state champion six times is remarkable in its own right."
One of the most accomplished athletes ever at Brentwood School, Lisberger earned 11 varsity letters, was an All-League performer in cross country, a four-time Olympic League track & field champion and a three-time Olympic League MVP in soccer. Lisberger scored 20 or more goals in each of her four high school seasons and tallied 88 goals and 31 assists to become Brentwood soccer's career scoring leader.
Born in South Korea and raised in Pacific Palisades, Lisberger's teammates and coaches call her "Panda," but opponents simply call her "good."
"I am so appreciative to have coached Emily, Amelia, Sid, KC, Coco, and Panda – who have been the heart and soul of our past championships, as well as the incredibly talented girls on the roster who we have added over the years," Thomas added. "They understand that you must play as a team to win at the highest level. That’s the reason they are champions on and off the field and why they are truly deserving of this historic opportunity.”
To prepare for their title run, the Eagles will play a series of friendly matches, including an exhibition Friday, May 20, in San Diego against the United States Under 23 National Team.
