If you ask members of the Albert Lea High School girls’ soccer team about playoff jitters, you’re likely to get some strange looks.

The Tigers sure showed no signs of them Saturday.

The ALHS girls played with poise and confidence while blowing out visiting Mankato East 6-0 in a Section 1A quarterfinal game at Hammer Field.

Albert Lea, seeded second in the eight-team, single-elimination tournament, improved its record to 11-4-3 and advanced to Tuesday’s semifinal round against Visitation or Northfield at Hammer Field. Game time was not yet determined Saturday, but ALHS coach Todd Lange said it will probably start at 5 or 7 p.m.

The Tigers started the scoring early Saturday, netting their first goal just eight minutes into the game while taking a 4-0 advantage at halftime.

Katie Stenseth and Laura Hillman scored two goals apiece for the Tigers, with Amy Ravenhorst and Crystal Rentz each netting one. Amy Marka assisted on two of the goals. Brittany Arendt, Stenseth, Stacie Armstrong and Brie Woitas all assisted on one goal.

&uot;We had very strong play from our midfielders and forwards,&uot; said Lange, who praised the play of Arendt, Stenseth, Sydney Staloch, Jerri Mondeel, Marka and Rentz.

Liz Reynen started in goal and shared the shutout with Annie Berger, who played the final 10 minutes in the net.

If the Tigers win Tuesday, they’ll play Thursday for the section championship and a state tournament berth.