AUSTIN &8212; It took them all of regulation and almost all of two overtimes but the Albert Lea boys soccer team squeaked by bitter rival Austin Thursday night 3-2.

The game was tied at 2 with under three minutes remaining in the second overtime when Zack McGinnis scored the winning goal for the Tigers.

The Packers jumped in front early 1-0 only two minutes into the game but the Tigers just kept on coming. McGinnis knotted the score at 1 late in the first half with Lars Gjersvik getting the assist.

Once again, the Packers came out and put the ball in the net early to start the second half and take a 2-1 lead over the Tigers. Matthew Clark evened the score at 2 apiece at the 25 minute mark and it stayed that way through regulation.

With time running out in the second overtime, McGinnis blasted the game winner, his second of the game.

&8220;We were missing a few players tonight, we really felt their absence,&8221; said Tigers head coach Elia Romano. &8220;Our defense played really strong, we stayed in front of their attackers and were aggressive all night. We fought back from one goal down twice and we never gave up.&8221;

With the win the Tigers improve to 3-5 overall and 2-4 in the Big Nine.

AL will be back in action again Tuesday when they travel to Rochester to take on Mayo.

&8220;We will have to step up our game considerably for Mayo,&8221; Romano said.