The Albert Lea U-17 girls’ soccer team controlled play throughout much of its game Monday with Winona, but lapses in the defensive third and an inability to convert its chances on the attack resulted in a 4-1 loss to Winona at Memorial Park.

Albert Lea was on the attack early and often in the first half against Winona, but it was Winona that took a 3-0 lead at halftime.

Albert Lea twice misplayed balls deep in its defensive third of the field and both times Winona pounced and found the back of the net.

Sarah Spiten scored twice in the first half and Amanda Malman added a goal in the first half.

Albert Lea (0-3-0) had two excellent scoring chances during the first half and wasn’t able to convert from just inside the 6-yard box, despite holding control of the game for the majority of the first half.

In the second half it was more of the same for Albert Lea as its attack was persistent but unrewarded.

Ariel Christensen finally broke through the Winona defense and sent a shot past the goalkeeper to cut the game to 3-1 after she failed to cash in just moments prior.

Winona later added a goal when a shot went between the legs of Albert Lea’s goalkeeper to make the game 4-1.

Albert Lea co-head coach Jeff Miller said the score certainly wasn’t indicative of the level of play.

“Tonight I think was actually a pretty good indication when you look at the balance of the game, not necessarily the score,” Miller said. “The balance of the play was more indicative of where we’re at, we just haven’t got the finish part out of it.”

Possession-wise, Albert Lea was in control and the offense continually pressured the Winona defense, but near misses seemed the case throughout.

Maureen Hernandez and Mariah Maras worked well in the center field to set up forwards Christensen, Abby LeBrun and later Sophie Miller.

“When we made a couple of changes in that second-half stretch we really got a lot of pressure,” Miller said. “I’m still happy with our play level.”