The Albert Lea Tigers boys’ soccer team was out of its comfort zone Saturday, getting outshot 15-3 in a 2-0 loss to the Rochester Lourdes Eagles in the Section 1A semifinals.

The No. 4-seeded Tigers (8-9-1, 5-4 Section 1A) came out slow in the 9 a.m. start, on a turf field 20 yards wider than Hammer Field.

No. 1 Lourdes (14-2-3, 10-0) scored eight minutes into the game off a corner kick and took a 1-0 lead into halftime.

“We never achieved a comfort level,” Albert Lea head coach Elia Romano said. “We had a very hard time making good decisions and spent long periods of time without the ball.”

In the second half, Tigers goalkeeper Cameron Hove saved a penalty kick to keep Albert Lea within striking distance. The Eages scored five minute later, though, on a corner kick to go ahead 2-0.

Romano said he expected the Tigers to have fewer shots on goal than the Eagles but was disappointed they didn’t make good use of the opportunities they did have.

The Tigers’ best scoring opportunity on the night came from the foot of central defender Logan Tufte.

“That’s when we looked the best,” Romano said. “When our defense was high.”

After starting the season 1-5, the Tigers went 6-3 down the stretch and allowed only three goals in their final six victories.

“I’m extremely proud of this group of boys,” Romano said. “They played with their hearts all season long and made progress. It’s been a joy all season and it’s sad to see it end.”