In a game that Albert Lea head coach Rick Barnhill believed was a preview of this year&8217;s section final the Albert Lea girls&8217; soccer team downed Mankato West 5-1 Thursday night at Hammer Field.

&8220;We gave up a goal late so I&8217;m not very happy with our focus and concentration. We have to learn to avoid situations like that,&8221; said Barnhill. &8220;I still think we are leaving some goals on the field, but everyone is contributing. All we have to do is keep our oars in the water and continue to row together.&8221;

The Tigers roared to 2-0 lead in the first 20 minutes of the first half and rode its defense to the lockerrom leading by two. As has been the Tigers&8217; M.O. this season they continued to score early in each half when they scored three more quick goals to start the second half and led 5-0.

The Scarlets put the ball in the net late in the game&8212; the only goal the Tigers have given up all year &8212; as A.L. coasted to the four-goal victory.

&8220;They will be back come section time,&8221; Barnhill said. &8220;I&8217;m driven by how we are going to be judged. People are kidding themselves if they think that no matter how well we finish that this would be a good year. We have been (to the section final) the last two years, it time to finish it.&8221;

The Tigers improve to 3-0-1 and will travel to Rochester Mayo Tuesday for another Big Nine matchup.