New classification, same success for Wolves

Newsome won its third district championship and its first in Class 5A by defeating No.1 seed Bloomingdale 1-1 (3-2 in penalty kicks) at home Friday night.

By JARRETT GUTHRIE
Published January 20, 2007

LITHIA - Newsome won its third district championship and its first in Class 5A by defeating No.1 seed Bloomingdale 1-1 (3-2 in penalty kicks) at home Friday night.

The match went to the ninth round of penalty kicks before Newsome was able to get the win.

The Wolves chose a good place to even the score against Bloomingdale after a 1-0 loss to the Bulls in the regular season on Nov. 10.

"It's always a battle with (Bloomingdale) and we know anything can happen," Newsome coach Kathy Dodd. "This is one of those humps you try and get over and we're just so excited to have beaten them in the playoffs."

Bloomingdale's Marissa Kazbour scored the match's opening goal in the first half by putting a shot in the net after a well-placed free kick from Jordan Johnson.

Newsome responded with less than two minutes left in the half when Ashley Evers scored from the left of the penalty box.

Despite strong ball control by the Wolves in the second half, Bloomingdale keeper Christina Coca made some strong saves, finishing with 11 for the match.

It was Newsome goalkeeper Kendall Graham, however, who had five saves in penalty kicks to give the Wolves the defense they needed for the win.

"I thought our keeper came up big in (penalty kicks)," Dodd said. "Especially considering we weren't giving her much help."

Jarrett Guthrie, Times correspondent

[Last modified January 19, 2007, 23:18:00]