According to coach Jim Haun, fans can look for some fast action from the Albert Lea High School boys’ soccer team this season.

It took less than a minute of the season opener to prove his point.

The Tigers promptly stole the ball and defender Ryan Long sent a long kick toward the goal, where Jake Clark was there to knock it in just 47 seconds into the game. The Tigers went on to defeat Winona Cotter 4-1 Saturday at Hammer Field.

&uot;We’ve got a lot of speed up front this year,&uot; said Haun. &uot;We can move the ball up the field.&uot;

Although the Tigers outshot the visitors 13-1 while playing in Cotter’s end of he field in the first half, Clarks’ goal was the lone score in the first 40 minutes.

The Tigers started almost as quickly in the second half, scoring on a similar play. This time Brady Plantage sent a long ball into the goal area, where it was knocked down by the goalkeeper and rebounded by Jeremy Jacobson, who kicked it home from about 5 yards out.

Jose Juarez started another similar play at about the 15-minute mark. Clark was there for the rebound, scoring on about an 18-yard shot to the opposite corner of the net.

Cotter scored on a penalty kick with about 15 minutes remaining.

The Tigers’ final goal came with about two minutes left, when Nate Lombardi scored on a rebound of a shot by Matt Olsen.

The Tigers outshot Cotter 29-3 for the day.

Ethan Berg played the first 60 minutes in goal for Albert Lea, with Eric Hutchison finishing in the net.

&uot;We played pretty well on defense, and our midfielders did well keeping the ball in their half of the field,&uot; said Haun. &uot;The biggest thing was time of possession, about 75 percent in our favor. It was a good first game for us.&uot;

The Tigers return to action Tuesday with their Big Nine opener at Owatonna.