Palisadian Lisberger Flying with Eagles Soccer Club

Ever since she first laced up a pair of cleats as a young girl, Amanda Lisberger has been setting records on the soccer field. She did so in four stellar high school years at Brentwood School, is doing so at the University of Texas and now the 21-year-old Palisadian is on the brink of a history-making feat with her club 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. Having just completed her junior season at midfield for the Longhorns, Lisberger is enjoying life as a college student-athlete.

Born in South Korea but raised here in Pacific Palisades, Lisberger has a knack for scoring big goals in big games and was a key member of the Eagles' back-to-back state championships in 2007-08. She netted the game-winning goal on a header with five minutes left in the state final to earn MVP honors by Fox Soccer Channel in 2007, then made the decisive penalty kick in the Eagles' 3-2 shootout victory over Eclipse White of Laguna Hills in the 2008 state final.

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 in three sports. She was an All-League performer in cross country, a four-time Olympic League track & field champion and a four-time All-League and 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 the program's career scoring leader.

Known as "Panda" to teammates and coaches, Lisberger is frequently dubbed "just too good" by her opponents--especially the players assigned to defend her. She played for her hometown Pali Blues in 2009--the year the local women's squad won its second straight W-League championship. In 2010 she played for the Santa Clarita Blue Heat in the team's inaugural W-League season. 

Now she wants nothing more than to win another national title with her Eagles SC club team and its longtime coach. 

"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 said. "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 in San Diego against the United States' Under 23 National Team.