BLAINE &045; It’s official.

The Albert Lea U-18 girls’ soccer team will play for the state championship.

The locals, heavily favored entering their third game of pool play Tuesday night, dominated Thief River Falls 8-0 at the National Sports Center in Blaine. The win advanced Albert Lea to the state championship game.

Crystal Rentz and Amy Ravenhorst scored three goals apiece Tuesday, with Brie Woitas and Amy Marka getting one each. Assists went to Woitas, Katie Stenseth, Katie Dooley, Ravenhorst, Char Everhart and Marka. Liz Reynen was the goalie.

The U-18 girls will meet Shakopee for the state championship Friday at 7 p.m. on Field D2 at the National Sports Center. The teams have played twice this season, the first a 0-0 tie and the second a 1-0 Albert Lea victory.