The final regular season game for the Albert Lea girls’ soccer team normally would have been a momentous occasion in of itself, but the team decided to use the game as a way to promote breast cancer awareness by wearing pink jerseys and playing with a pink ball Thursday at Hammer Field against Austin.

“I think the intention and the effort behind what we were trying to do … is hopefully try to eradicate something that will hopefully not affect these girls later in life,” said Tigers head coach Rick Barnhill. “It has kind of a direct connection to the players themselves.”

Albert Lea assistant coach Jeff Miller’s wife, Amy Wasson, is a breast cancer survivor and she spoke at halftime about breast cancer awareness.

With some help from Julie Savelkoul, a parent of one of the team’s players, Barnhill had T-shirts made and ordered the pink soccer balls.

Donations were collected at the game for a breast cancer awareness charity as well.

On the field, the Tigers (11-2-1) rolled to a 10-0 victory over Austin and wrapped up their sixth consecutive undefeated season against section opponents in the regular season and secured their fifth consecutive season of 10 or more victories.

Mariah Maras scored four goals while Ellie Johnson, Kelly Nelson, Taylor Friehl, Morgan Stadheim, Ariel Christensen and Sophie Miller all recorded goals.

Earlier in the day Albert Lea learned it was the No. 1 seed for the Section 2A playoffs, which begin next week. The Tigers received a first round bye and will face the winner of the Worthington-Mankato Loyola game Oct. 17 at Hammer Field. Albert Lea is seeking a third consecutive trip to the state tournament this season.