COTTAGE GROVE &045; After a successful 2004 undefeated season that ended with a state championship, the Albert Lea U-14 boys’ soccer team was required to move up from the Classic 3 level to the Classic 2 level.

The locals started their season at Cottage Grove Runnin’ with the Wolves Tournament last weekend. This was a Classic 2 round-robin tournament.

In game one Albert Lea tied Cottage Grove 1-1 with Adam Clark scoring with assists to Marco Rodriquez and Oscar Hernandez.

In game two Albert Lea faced a physical St. Paul team. St. Paul scored one goal in the first half. Felipe Ambriz scored 45 seconds into the second half to tie it up and the Rodriquez scored the game-winning goal. Assists were awarded to Juan Gonzales, Lucas Dang, Jared Jensen and Adam Kermes.

Game three was against NESA White Bear Lake. Albert Lea dominated by allowing only two shots on goal. Scoring were Lars Gjersvik, Hernandez, and two goals by Ambriz. Assists went to Andy Harte, Grant Stadheim, and Tyler Prihoda.

After three games Albert Lea was seeded No. 1 and played Cottage Grove for the championship. The game was scoreless until five minutes remaining when Cottage Grove scored on long direct kick. Albert Lea took home the second-place trophy.

Once again the defense stepped up by allowing two goals in four games. Playing defense were Matt Tiegs, John Hildreth, Dang, Cody Knudsen, Harte, Gjersvik with Jordan DeVries in goal. Nick Tippett and Levi Herrera played at midfield.

The referees of each game assigned a number from one to 10 evaluating each team with regards to sportsmanship and fair play. After the round robin was completed the tournament committee totaled the points and Albert Lea was awarded a plaque for the Sportsmanship Award.

After a long, cold, and tiring weekend the boys were on the pitch again Monday facing a strong Lakeville team in an exhibition game. The score was tied at one apiece after the first half. Jairo Campos scored the only goal with assists to Herrera and Rodriquez. The game became quite physical with two yellow caution cards served one to a member from each team. Lakeville broke the game open with three tallies in the second half.

The team’s record is 2-2-1.