With the offense struggling the Albert Lea U-17 girls’ soccer team turned to an all-state defender for help Wednesday against Red Wing at Memorial Park in Albert Lea.

Aided by the improved play of the young defending corps Albert Lea moved all-state defender Sophie Miller to forward and she delivered a stellar performance up front as she scored five goals in a 9-1 rout of Red Wing.

“When she plays at forward it’s almost when she decides to score,” said Albert Lea head coach Jeff Miller.

It seemed whenever Miller found the ball at her feet she found the back of the net. Miller started the scoring in the first half and had a hat trick by halftime as Albert Lea held a 4-1 lead.

Miller quickly picked up where she left off in the second half when she took a free kick from just outside the 18-yard box and sent a shot on goal. The shot was over the head of the goalkeeper and ricocheted off a Red Wing defender into the goal for a 5-1 Albert Lea lead.

Miller later tallied her fifth goal of the game when she collected a pass from 20 yards out and dribbled through the Red Wing defense to make it a 6-1 game. The goal marked Miller’s ninth goal in the past two games and helped give Albert Lea its third straight victory after starting the season 0-3.

Ariel Christenson got into the scoring act as she was rewarded for her numerous opportunities in the game. Christenson converted on two chances in the second half as she broke through the Red Wing defense for easy finishes from inside the 6-yard box.

Mariah Maras tallied a goal in the first half and added a blast from outside the 18-yard box in the second half to complete the scoring for Albert Lea.

Earlier in the season Albert Lea struggled to finish its scoring opportunities but with the defense coalescing recently the offense has responded.

“I think the younger defense is starting to come around,” Miler said. “They communicate a lot better.”

Albert Lea wraps up the regular season Thursday against Lakeville South in Lakeville.