ALBERT LEA &045; The Elks U-13 girls’ traveling soccer team is considered one of the best C2 teams in the state. It has proven it over the course of the last several years by losing only a few games and returning to the state tournament each season.

At the end of last year the top seven teams in the state all had one loss, and they all came against Albert Lea.

This year the girls returned to play in what is considered the toughest district in the state, the South District. The team faced some of the largest soccer clubs in the state from the South Metro area. Their opponents choose their teams from a huge pool of players that have to tryout to make the team. Albert Lea takes anyone that wants to play and doesn’t turn anyone away.

At the beginning of the season the team voted not to participate in the district or state tournament if they qualified. Their unusual season schedule and player’s vacation plans conflicted too much. Instead the girls set their sights on improving their personal playing abilities, incorporating several new girls into the team and having fun.

They did that and more.

The girls achieved something that no other girls soccer team has done in the 20 year history of Albert Lea Youth Soccer.

Soccer teams are divided into four playing levels, Premiere, C1, C2, and C3. There are only a handful of premiere teams in the state at any age level and only about 20 C1 teams in the state. Both are usually metro area teams comprised of players from several communities.

The final game of the season was a rematch of an earlier cancelled game. It pitted Albert Lea at 6-1-1 against unbeaten Bloomington. These two teams were considered two of the best and this final game was shaping up to be a great one.

Albert Lea had more than pride on the line when it met at Hammer Field on a beautiful Wednesday night. The local girls wanted to knock off the unbeaten team and try for a share of the South District title. Unknown to most of the players, but an Albert Lea victory would also make history.

The game was arguably the best game both teams had played all year. Very little physical contact was seen and the teams drove up and down the field by precision passing. Both teams would drive the ball and shoot on net or loose it on an errant pass. They were playing control soccer.

Stephanie Ferguson had one of her best performances of the year in the net for the locals. She made several fantastic saves and many good ones. A tough defense has always been Albert Lea’s best asset and the defenders made their presence known by disrupting Bloomington’s fast break offense. The first half ended scoreless.

Albert Lea’s forwards and midfielders had several scoring opportunities, but just could not connect. Early in the second half Mariah Maras lobbed a centering pass to Abbey Arends who gathered the ball and scored. The rest of the game was like an exciting rollercoaster ride. Albert Lea won the game 1-0 and ended their great season with a 7-1-1 record.

The victory also gave the girls something to really be proud of. They become the first ever Albert Lea girls’ soccer team to achieve C1 status.

It is a tribute to the players’ ability and commitment when a small club like Albert Lea can field such a good team.

Next year will be a lot more difficult for the team, but the players will be better for it. The team also contributes its success to the older girls teams, especially the U-16’s that have always been there for support and practice help.

The U-13 team is comprised of: Keepers &045; Stephanie Ferguson and Madi Passingham; defenders – Sophie Miller, Jenna Bowman, and Ellie Johnson; Midfielders &045; Kelsey Paulson, Kaitlin Cope, Taylor Roberts, Abbey Arends, Mariah Maras, Morgan Stadheim, and Anna Peterson; Forwards &045; Kellsie Dieser, Elizabeth Winkels, Brooke Possehl, Erika Blickenderfer, and Hannah Knutson; Coaches &045; Jeff Miller and Dwaine Winkels.