The challenge for the Austin girls' soccer team in the second half of the season has been scoring, and Rochester Century proved to be too tall an obstacle for the Packers to overcome Tuesday in Rochester.

The Panthers hosted Austin to a 4-0 defeat, but the Packer defense did the job it wanted to do for the first 40 minutes of play. Goalkeeper Kelly Momsen was forced to stop 17 shots by the Century offense, but she had a good idea of what shots were coming.

"We knew we were going to give up a lot of shots," said Austin coach Mark Raymond. "Century is a very patient team and they are really deep with their talent.

"They move the ball well. We set up our defense so that we would give up predictable shots that would be easier for Momsen to handle and we would not allow them a rebound."

Century took a 1-0 lead in the first half, but a second Panther goal early in the second half started Austin's slide. Maria Prendergast, who tallied Century's first-half goal in the 28th minute, found some free space along the left side of Austin's defense and scored two minutes out of intermission.

The Panthers kept the pressure on and eventually opened up a 4-0 lead, knocking Austin to 4-11-1 overall and 3-9-1 in the Big Nine Conference.

Tying up Winona

Austin tied Winona 2-2 on Saturday night at Wescott Field after falling to the Winhawks on the road back in August.

"We played a much better defensive game than we had in a while," Coach Raymond said. "Winona is fast, they'll run you off the field."

The Packers took the early lead on Emily Lorenzen's chip shot over the Winona goalie, and Lorenzen's goal in the second half gave the Packers a 2-1 lead. The Winhawks managed to tie the score on a perfectly placed direct free kick just outside the box to Momsen's left.

"We just need to put together enough of an offense that we can get through a couple rounds of sections," Coach Raymond said in anticipation of the up-and-coming end of the regular season.

The Packers play host to Albert Lea tonight at 7 p.m., while Mankato West hosts Austin at 11 a.m. on Saturday. Both teams defeated AHS in their first meetings.

Call Ross Thede at 434-2234 or e-mail him at :mailto:sports@austindailyherald.com.