The fortunes of the Albert Lea boys’ soccer team have turned around quickly and Thursday the spotlight fell upon junior Cal Pirsig once again.

Pirsig delivered his third consecutive game-winning goal for the Tigers (5-7, 2-5 Big Nine) as they have gone from losers of five straight to winners of three consecutive games.

Pirisig scored his eighth goal of the season in the first overtime session to give Albert Lea a 2-1 victory over John Marshall (0-10-1, 0-5-1) at Hammer Field.

It was the third consecutive come-from-behind win for the Tigers and it was just as dramatic as the others.

The Rockets took a 1-0 lead with five minutes to play in regulation, but Albert Lea wasn’t intent on letting the game end with that result.

With 1 minute, 22 seconds remaining in regulation Oscar Hernandez was taken down inside the John Marshall 18-yard box and awarded a penalty kick. Hernandez buried his chance and gave the Tigers new life.

“They really play better when they go down a goal,” said Albert Lea head coach Elia Romano. “You could just tell there was a goal imminent.”

It hasn’t taken long for Hernandez to make an impact on the team since joining the team Tuesday. Against Faribault Tuesday Hernandez assisted on the game-winner and Thursday he provided the equalizer in crunch time.

“It just feels like we’ve gotten a lot more dynamic with him up front,” Romano said of Hernandez, who was one of the team’s top scorers last season. “He’s creating a tremendous amount for us up front. With Cal’s confidence building every step of the way here, they really make a nice tandem.”

The Tigers outshot the Rockets 28-15 in the game.

The third straight win has given Albert Lea some much needed confidence heading into the final four games of the season.

“It’s nice to see the kids get some rewards for all the work they’ve put in all year,” Romano said.

The Tigers host Byron Saturday before beginning a two-game stretch on the road against No. 8-ranked Mankato East and a rematch with Austin.

“These kids were due,” Romano said. “They’ve played their hearts out all year. These were well-deserved results.”