Marion scores late to win fourth straight regional


Darren Kinnard
Section618.com

CARBONDALE — Seemingly every time the Marion Wildcats have needed an answer this season, senior Margaux Bruce has provided it.

You’d expect that from the class valedictorian. And from someone who coach Jaime Clark says “has the heart of a lion.”

Bruce did it again Friday night recording a hat trick, including the game winner with just 19 seconds left to lift the Wildcats to their fourth straight girls soccer regional title, 3-2 over South 7 rival Carbondale.

Ten days ago, the Wildcats dominated the Terriers, picking up a 5-0 Senior Night win. This was a much different battle, as Carbondale jumped on top in the 12th minute when Emma Bickel buried a penalty kick.

Four minutes later, Bruce answered with her first goal of the night to tie the game 1-1.

It stayed that way nearly halfway through the second half, when Bickel made the most of a second PK opportunity to put the Terriers up 2-1 with 23 minutes to play.

Again, Bruce answered–four minutes later, she tied the game a second time.

It remained 2-2 until Marion senior Lily Garrett lofted a perfect free kick toward the goal, and Bruce knocked it home for the regional winning goal.

The Wildcats improve to 22-4. They advance to next week’s Triad 2A Sectional, where they will take on the hosts, who just happen to be the defending state champs. That match will be Tuesday night at 7:00. Waterloo will face Mascoutah in the first sectional semi at 5:00.

The Terriers finish their season 13-10.