Girls soccer: Leuer’s hat trick sinks Falcons

Published 9:23 pm Tuesday, September 12, 2017

The Austin girls soccer team seems to have found a remedy at home this season as the Packers picked up another shutout in a 3-0 win over Faribault (1-5-2 overall, 0-4 Big Nine) in Art Hass Stadium Tuesday.

Faribault sophomore keeper Olivia Williamson was strong in the net as she stopped 28 shots, but Austin senior Isabel Leuer found a way to get past Williamson three times for her first varsity hat trick. Leuer scored on a chip shot over Williamson on an assist from Monica Vargas near the end of the half, she scored on a breakaway to make it 2-0 early in the second half and Leuer’s third goal came on a rebound off a shot from Grace Mayer.

Austin’s Clara Munger moves the ball forward during the first half against Faribault Tuesday night at Art Hass Stadium. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com

“It was nice having my other forwards always there with the crosses and the passing through their defense,” Leuer said. “You have to crash after every shot.”

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The Packers (2-3 overall, 2-2 Big Nine) have outscored their opponents 7-0 at home, but they’ve been outscored 16-0 in their three road losses.

“We get this mental thing in our heads that when we’re away, we’re going to lose,” Austin senior defender Clara Munger said. “We need to break through that and get it in our head that we need to win.”

The Packers dominated possession against the Falcons and Austin head coach Jake Levisen is hoping that is a sign of things to come. He said his team’s heavy pursuit was a key to the victory.

Austin’s Isabel Leuer settles the ball against Faribault Tuesday night at Art Hass Stadium. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com

“They had a fantastic keeper. The biggest thing is we kept on hammering and we didn’t get frustrated,” Levisen said. “We kept using our passing and we know that Austin style will be successful when we use it. Once they start linking our drills in practice to game scenarios it’s fantastic to watch.“

Myia Hoium had four saves in the win for the Packers and Cassity Nangle had one save.

Austin’s Ava Grev pushes the ball ahead of Faribault’s Bailey Hopwood in teh first half at Art Hass Stadium Tuesday night at Art Hass Stadium. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com