Brauer leads Lancers to win over Lady Cats

MARION -- Grace Brauer scored a hat trick to lead the Belleville East girls soccer team to a 3-0 victory over Marion on a freaky Friday night at Wildcat Stadium.
The match was delayed in the first half by lightning and went into the halftime break scoreless thanks to some gutsy saves from Marion goal keeper Maddie Goodley.
It didn't take long for Brauer, who is headed to Xavier, to take over in the second half.
Brauer put in her first and second goals about a minute apart and with just barely over five minutes having gone off the clock. The third came with 23:50 remaining in the match.
The goals were assisted by Annie Brown, Alexandra Mueller and Ally Thomas. Brown is headed to the University of Illinois-Chicago.
Marion had several good scoring chances in the second half but were denied repeatedly by Lancers keeper Grace Tantillo, who punched away several opportunities.
Marion's record fell to 15-4-2 with the loss.
The Lady Wildcats play rival Carbondale on Tuesday night at Wildcat Stadium.