WINONA – Winning streak.

Saturday, September 22, 2001

WINONA – Winning streak.

It’s been a while since those words have been used in the same sentence with the Albert Lea High School boys’ soccer team. Two years, to be exact.

The Tigers, 0-19 last year after winning the Big Nine championship the previous season, won for the second time in a row with a 3-2 nonconference decision at Winona Cotter Friday night. It followed a 2-0 Big Nine win at Owatonna Thursday.

The Tigers started slow, taking time to adjust to an international-sized field that measures 120 by 80 yards, but they went on to build a 3-0 lead while playing some of their best soccer of the season.

Taylor Zimmerman opened the scoring in the 31st minute, knocking in a pass from Josh Kasper, who made a nice run up the sideline and delivered a perfect cross.

It remained 1-0 until 10 minutes into the second half, when Kasper scored on an assist from Josh Johnson on a play similar to the Tigers’ first goal.

In the 20th minute, Johnson made it 3-0 on an assist from Jeremy Jacobson.

The Tigers suffered a setback a few minutes later when Kasper was sidelined with a shoulder injury, the extent of which was not known Friday night.

&uot;We kind of lost our focus at that point,&uot; said coach Jim Haun.

And Cotter took advantage, scoring on a direct free kick and, with seven minutes remaining, on a penalty kick.

Eric Hutchison made 10 saves for the Tigers. Both teams had 17 shots on goal.

Jacobson continued to play well at midfield, according to Haun, who also praised the efforts of forwards Kasper, Johnson, Nate Lombardi and Jake Clark.

The junior varsity won its first game in seven outings, 7-0. Brian Christianson scored three goals, Justin McGinnis two, Tyler Weise and Mitch Kortz one apiece.

The Tigers, 3-7 overall and 2-7 in the Big Nine, host Mankato East Thursday.