Boys soccer: Serrano notches hat trick for Marmion

In all probability, Marmion forward James Serrano could not have scored in more disparate ways Tuesday afternoon in Glen Ellyn.

But Serrano and his teammates will not be apologizing soon after sending Lemont to the season-ending showers with a 4-0 victory at the first Class 2A Glenbard South boys soccer sectional semifinal.

Marmion (14-7-1) will face undefeated Rochelle (20-0-1) for the championship Friday afternoon.

Serrano, an uncommitted senior from Elgin, opened the scoring with a penalty kick minutes into the match.

Moments into the second half, with Marmion already enjoying a 2-0 lead at the intermission, Serrano was credited with a second score after being the nearest Marmion player to a Lemont own-goal.

There was, however, no denying the majesty of the final Serrano goal to close out the scoring.

Taking a feed from CJ Sowers, Serrano rifled home a blistering rocket from 25 yards out to beat the Lemont keeper.

"We wanted to score as many (goals) as possible," Serrano said. "Putting the PK in first was a good starting point. We want to keep scoring, scoring and scoring. That's what we have been doing the whole playoff and the (regular) season."

Serrano has been a consistent offensive force for the Cadets for his final campaign.

"I have had a hat trick before," Serrano said. "It's either 30 or 31 goals (for the year). I don't want to credit myself. I think it's (my teammates) who do all the work."

Sowers' playmaking skills were on display for a second straight postseason match as the junior midfielder has had 5 assists during the Cadets' last two matches.

"Especially in the playoffs, I feel my role right now is to set guys up, get them going," Sowers said. "I just put the ball where I know they can score."

Aidan Reynolds' brilliant header off Sowers' corner kick firmly tipped the scales in the Cadets' favor midway through the first half.

"I usually expect CJ to put a pretty good ball in," Reynolds said. "He is usually known for that. I just put (the header) in the right corner."

"(The penalty-kick goal) is just a very challenging way to start a game against a team like (Marmion)," Lemont coach Rick Prangen said.