July 21, 2016 at 3:10 p.m.
CL's Lisa Schommer playing for championship in women's football
CL's Lisa Schommer playing for championship in women's football
The 2009 Chisago Lakes High School graduate played soccer and softball during her school career, but her biggest test came in 2013 when she saw advertisements for tryouts for the Minnesota Vixen, Minnesota’s football team in the Independent Women’s Football League.
“I had always liked the sport and did flag football through community education and did a Punt, Pass and Kick competition when I was young, so I thought it was going to be cool to try out,”âSchommer said. “But I had no clue what I was getting into.”
What she was getting into was a team as steeped in history as there can be in women’s football.âThe Vixen first took the field in 1999 and have been in different leagues and organizations over the years.
Schommer only played one year for the Vixen early, but she was back on the team this year as a tight end and occasional linebacker. She broke her finger early in the year, missing four games, but has been back at it for the stretch run. And what a stretch run it’s been.
The Vixen are unbeaten on the year, going 8-0 in the regular season before beating the New York Sharks in the playoffs in dramatic fashion. In the second overtime, the Vixen returned an interception 100 yards for the victory, They had the number two spot on ESPN Sportscenter’s Top 10 Plays for the night.
The win over New York send the Vixen to the championship game against the Utah Falconz Saturday, July 23 inâNorth Carolina. The IWFLâchampionship will be live streamed on the IWFL’s YouTube page.
Despite her early injury, the season has been an absolute blast for Schommer. She said, “The best part of this has been my teammates. We have the best camaraderie ever and we are all really good friends, I’ve been part of a lot of teams and this is the best by far. These women are diehard football players and awesome to play with.”
On a grander note, Schommer is also proud to be able to play a predominantly male sport and do well. “There is a sense of pride among the team members being women football players,” she said. “We are on the forefront of this movement.”
She also had a message for girls who might be too shy to play or not sure about what they want. “Do what you love. If you love football, go for it. Just because it’s a man’s sport, doesn’t mean we can’t play,” she said. “Go do it, and don’t let others tell you that you can’t do it.”
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