The Albert Lea football team traveled to Worthington Friday night hoping to turn things around coming off two consecutive heartbreaking losses.

Unfortunately for the Tigers, a four-point fourth-quarter lead wasn’t enough to keep the Trojans down, falling 15-13.

After giving up a touchdown in the first quarter, the Tigers responded by scoring a touchdown and taking the lead on a six-yard pass from junior Logan Howe to senior Carter Simon. The Trojans kicked a field goal at the end of the half to take a 9-7 lead into the break, but after turning the ball over three times in the half, head coach Corey Black was happy to be down just two points.

Howe threw his second touchdown of the game in the third quarter on an eight-yard pass to junior Koby Hendrickson, which put the Tigers back on top 13-9 heading into the final quarter. The Trojans scored late in the fourth to take back the lead 15-13, where the game would finish after a Tigers turnover sealed the Trojan win.

Penalties were a big factor against Albert Lea in the loss, as the team gave up more than 180 yards to penalties.

“In totality, penalties and turnovers are what kept them in the ballgame,” Black said. “Our penalties allowed them to continue on each of their scoring drives. If we take care of the ball and don’t commit those penalties, we don’t let them score.”

The Tigers had no trouble gaining yards offensively throughout the game, but their drives failed to result in touchdowns. Howe was 8/16 passing for 116 yards and two touchdowns, while junior JJ Mucha-Owens carried the ball 23 times for 180 yards, and senior Cole Wentzel had 14 carries for 86 yards.

“We moved the ball really well,” Black said. “We just have to start putting the ball in the endzone.”

The Tigers fall to 0-7 on the season and will host Belle-Plaine on Wednesday in the final regular-season game.