MANKATO &045;&160;A short field and a short game could not stop Albert Lea’s roll over conference and section foe Mankato East.

Lightning permitted only a little more than three quarters of play, enough for a legal game, but not enough for a Tiger squad that wanted more than the three unanswered goals they scored.

From whistle to whistle, the Tigers dominated, peppering the Cougar keeper.

In the last eight games, the Tigers have shut out seven opponents and out scored them 36-1.

In spite of home field advantage, the Cougars had difficulty getting off a shot at the Tiger’s goal.

The small field at Kennedy allowed Mankato East to bring reinforcements quicker and didn’t tax their fitness level, yet Albert Lea consistently out-maneuvered and out-shot the Cougars.

It took until the 27th minute for Albert Lea to win, when Whitney Wilson notched her 11th goal of the season on a high arcing shot from outside the box.

Invigorated, the locals pressed their attack with a barrage of shots that did not find home.

The half ended with the Tigers only up by a single goal.

Coming out of the half, Heather Greibrok scored her first varsity goal in the 58th minute when

Brittni Lair and East’s keeper collided going for a loose 50/50 ball in front of the goal.

The clouds grew more ominous and a hard rain began to fall.

Moments before the game’s premature end, in the 65th minute, Amanda Arends picked up her seventh goal of the season on a redirect of a Wilson kick.

&8221;The Tigers were in control of the game, but did not put the Cougars away quickly,&8220; said Rick Barnhill.

&8221;We will make adjustments before the last home game against Austin.

After Saturday’s last regular season game at Winona, the team goes into the &8221;second season&8220; of single elimination playoffs against section opponents.

Each game is win or go home and these girls are committed to winning.&8220;