MANKATO – The last time the Albert Lea High School boys’ soccer team met Mankato East, the Tigers won 2-0 in a game that wasn’t really that close.

Wednesday, October 03, 2001

MANKATO – The last time the Albert Lea High School boys’ soccer team met Mankato East, the Tigers won 2-0 in a game that wasn’t really that close.

&uot;Their goalkeeper stopped four or five breakaways,&uot; said ALHS coach Jim Haun.

On Tuesday, the Tigers sent the Cougars an early message: It’s not going to happen again.

Nate Lombardi scored on a breakaway at 10:30 of the first half, sparking the Tigers to a 3-0 triumph at Mankato.

&uot;It was a good game to bounce back from Monday, which was a disappointing loss,&uot; said coach Jim Haun. &uot;Tonight was a game we needed to have, and the guys came through.&uot;

Lombardi scored on an assist from Josh Johnson, who set up the Tigers’ second goal by Taylor Zimmerman at the 28:30 mark. Zimmerman set up Johnson for the third goal about three minutes later.

The Tigers outshot the Cougars 11-5 with a strong wind at their backs in the first half. East outshot the Tigers 9-3 in the second half.

Ethan Berg got the shutout in goal for the Tigers. Haun said the defense played very well in front of him, led by Hector Ortiz and Jason Christianson. Haun also praised the play of Johnson and Zimmerman.

&uot;Zimmerman played a super game,&uot; said Haun. &uot;He came in and provided a real spark.&uot;

The Albert Lea junior varsity played to a 1-1 tie.

The win improved the Tigers to 5-9 overall and 4-8 in the Big Nine. They travel to Austin Thursday.