The Albert Lea girls’ soccer team concluded a four-game week on Saturday with a home game against Mankato Loyola.

Despite a low-scoring first half, the Tigers came out in the second half and put on a soccer clinic, beating the Crusaders 6-0.

The lone goal in the first half came with just under seven minutes remaining, when freshman Lucy Stay found the back of the net off an assist from junior captain Sydney Nelson.

During the halftime break, head coach Laura Wangen emphasized to the team that they didn’t need anymore goals to win as long as they held the Crusaders to nothing. However, the Tigers weren’t satisfied with one goal, as they came out to score five more before the end of the match.

Sophomore Lucy Sherman scored two of the goals, one coming off an assist from senior Alexis Palomo and the other off an assist from senior Alexis Rothmeier. Sherman also picked up an assist by setting up freshman Abby Chalmers for her first career varsity goal. Nelson also notched her first varsity goal on a penalty kick and junior Ashley Butt finished off the scoring with a goal off an assist from freshman Esther Yoon.

“As a coaching staff, we were very pleased with the overall communication and passing by the team (Saturday),” Wangen said. “As a team, we are very balanced and do not rely on one or two core players. Tonight we had eight girls contribute to the goals.”

Wangen said the defensive play from Yoon, Rothmeier, sophomores Mikayla Hillman and Laura Flaherty, and junior Emily Bos was pivotal in the win and helping to secure junior Marissa Vogt her third shutout of the year.

The Tigers improve to 3-2-2 on the season and will play again Tuesday at Mankato West and at home Thursday against Northfield.

“Both of those games (will be) physical,” Wangen said. “We need everyone to continue to contribute to the overall success of the team, no matter what their role is.”