Tigers shut out by the Huskies

Published 10:25 pm Tuesday, September 5, 2017

: Albert Lea sophomore Daniel Davis moves in to contest the ball dribbler Tuesday night against Owatonna. The Tigers would drop their home opener, 4-0, and will look to redeem themselves Thursday in Rochester. - Tyler Julson/Albert Lea Tribune

Albert Lea boys’ soccer team struggles to find an offensive rhythm

Albert Lea couldn’t pull away with the win as it hosted Owatonna Tuesday night.

Despite their best efforts, the Tigers dropped their first home game of the season to the unbeaten Huskies, 4-0.

Coming off a one-goal win in Northfield on Thursday, the Tigers were riding a wave of momentum into Tuesday’s game. It didn’t take long for the Huskies to swing that momentum back in their favor. A goal from the Huskies’ Nate Smith put them on top with over 30 minutes remaining in the first half.

After the first goal, the Tigers seemed to find their footing on defense. The only additional goal in the half came on a penalty kick made by Juan Maya with just 13 minutes left in the first.

Albert Lea senior Spencer Indrelie moves past a defender in Tuesday night’s 4-0 loss to Owatonna. Indrelie had multiple shots on the goal late in the second half, none being able to find the goal. – Tyler Julson/Albert Lea Tribune

Despite a strong defensive showing in the first half, Albert Lea was unable to get a good look at the goal offensively. A majority of the first half was played on Albert Lea’s side of the pitch, not allowing the team to put the ball in a good position to score. The Tigers went to halftime with a two-goal deficit.

After the halftime break, the Tigers started to get better shots on goal. Unfortunately, they either missed the mark or were stopped by the Huskies goalie. Late in the match, seniors Spencer Indrelie and Noah Karge each saw multiple shot attempts narrowly miss the goal. Perhaps the Tigers best chance to score was on a free kick just outside the penalty box, which had senior Lennon Shimon kicking the ball just over the top of the net.

Owatonna was able to tack on two more goals in the second half — one with 23 minutes remaining and the other with 14 minutes remaining.

Albert Lea falls to 1-2 on the season and will return to action Thursday night when it travels to Rochester to take on the Century Panthers.