Mattoon scored three second-half goals to upend Mahomet, 3-1, for the second time and clinch its first-ever Apollo Conference girls soccer title.

A second-half adjustment made the difference during a windy Tuesday evening at MHS. 

The Greenwave, which had handed the Bulldogs their first-ever Apollo loss earlier this season, trailed 1-0 at halftime after Mahomet had scored in the 25th minute on a free kick from 35 yards out. 

Mattoon, though, decided to change formations in the second half to increase its offensive pressure. Lily Ghere moved to forward while Taylor Kovach was moved to midfield. 

That change resulted in Mattoon scoring three unanswered goals in a 16-minute span to open the second half. 

In the 46th minute, Bella Masse received a pass from Kam Lathrop at the top of the penalty box. Masse eluded a defender and beat the Mahomet goalkeeper just inside the left post. 

Four minutes later, Mattoon earned a free kick just outside of the penalty box. Ghere sent the ball into the box where it bounced off a Mahomet defender into the net. 

Mattoon jumped right back into the attack and was fouled in the penalty box with 26 minutes remaining in the game. Ghere converted the penalty kick to give the Greenwave a 3-1 lead. 

Mattoon played on its heels much of the last 20 minutes, but defended well. Lily Gregory, Kovach, Lathrop, Belle Shriver, and Marley VanHoveln had solid performances in the backfield, limiting Mahomet’s chances to only a few shots on goal that goalkeeper Jessica Evans saved. 

“It was a total team effort,” said MHS coach Ryan Ghere.

The win gives Mattoon its first conference championship in its 23-year history. MHS, 9-0, next plays at Mt. Zion on Thursday in its Apollo finale. Mattoon’s overall record is now 18-2-1.