It was cold, windy and rainy at Hammer Field Thursday night.

The Albert Lea High School boys’ soccer team did not let affect its performance.

The Tigers took control from the start and shut out St. Peter 5-0 in a nonconference game.

&uot;We played real hard right from the opening touch,&uot; said ALHS coach Elia Romano. &uot;We pressed the ball well, moved the ball well, and we finished well.&uot;

The Tigers led 4-0 at halftime and, according to Romano, outshot the Saints by a considerable margin.

Jake Clark, Jeremy Jacobson, Justin McGinnis, Brady Plantage and Brian Christianson scored the goals, with assists going to Lionel Thomas, Conner Keyeski, Jacobson and Clark. Ethan Berg got the shutout in goal.

Playing a strong all-around game, according to Romano, were Taylor Zimmerman, Dustin Boyer and Justin McGinnis.

It was a key win because St. Peter is in the Tigers’ section. The Tigers finished 2-2 against section opponents, also defeating Mankato East while falling in a shootout to Southwest Minnesota Christian and in overtime to Mankato East.

The Albert Lea junior varsity won 3-2, with goals by Cody Otterson, Cory Ellertson and Matt Bennett. Jason Schoonover had an assist.

The Tigers, 5-4 in the Big Nine and 5-5 overall, play Saturday at noon at Owatonna.

(Jim Lutgens can be reached at sports@albertleatribune.com or 379-3437.)