A set piece goal proved to be the difference once again in the Albert Lea boys’ soccer team’s 2-1 loss to Austin Thursday in Austin.

Henry Darling scored from inside the 6-yard box on a header from a corner kick two minutes into the second half to break a 1-1 tie.

“I really felt like our boys were up to the task,” said Tigers head coach Elia Romano. “It’s a shame they didn’t get any result out of it.”

Austin grabbed a 1-0 lead with 3 minutes to play in the first half when Jacob Brehmer scored on a Packer counterattack.

The Tigers had controlled possession up until that point, but the goal didn’t stop Albert Lea from attacking.

The Tiger response came quickly and it came from Oscar Hernandez on a low, driven shot to the far post from 17 yards out with a minute to go in the first half.

“I think we came out with a lot of energy and a lot of enthusiasm and we played real hard,” Romano said.

Albert Lea travels to Kasson Saturday to face Kasson-Mantorville in the season finale.