Albert Lea Youth Soccer fielded two U-9 boys&8217; traveling soccer teams this summer.

These 7-, 8-, 9-year-old boys played home and away games versus Austin, Northfield, Mankato, Faribault, Rochester and each other.

One team was coached by Stacey Overgaard and John Doran, the other team was coached by Mac Ehrhardt and Chris Chalmers. The season lasted from early May to the Middle of July.

&8220;We had an unexpectedly large signup for the U-9 boys this summer,&8221; said coach Stacey Overgaard. &8220;With so many boys we were able to field two full teams.&8221;

&8220;It&8217;s wonderful that we have so many kids interested in soccer, and so many parents willing to make the commitment,&8221; said coach Chris Chalmers. &8220;It bodes well for the future of Albert Lea soccer.&8221;

&8220;I think the boys had a lot of fun this summer, which was one of our main goals,&8221; said coach Ehrhardt. &8220;We also worked a lot on individual player development, because at this age the children can develop new physical skills, such as dribbling, much more easily than they can as teenagers.&8221;

For more information, please call Ehrhardt at 507-373-3161 (days) or 507-383-0369 (cell). His e-mail address is mac@alseed.com.