The Packers girls soccer team had a tough time keeping up with Albert Lea’s firepower in a 6-2 loss to the Tigers at Art Hass Stadium Tuesday night.

Albert Lea poured on four second half goals after leading 2-1 at the half.

“It was a well played game and they looked every bit of the returning section champion that they are,” Austin head coach Mark Raymond said. “They played a real physical and clean game. My hats off to them, they moved the ball around.”

The Packers (0-2 overall, 0-2 Big Nine) took advantage of the scoring opportunities they did have when senior forward Anna Anderson sank a 25-yard free kick in the first half by hooking it into the top right corner of the goal with eight minutes left in the first half.

“Anna’s been working on that a little bit and she’s made the most of her chances. Offensively we look a lot better than last year,” Raymond said. “We’re putting the ball in the net, but we still got a little bit to learn on defense.”

In the second half, Austin’s Tina Vorphal ignited some offense when she penetrated into the zone and passed the ball inside. After a couple of missed shots, Rachel Needham knocked it in for a score to make it 4-2 Tigers with just under 30 minutes left in the game.

“I’m really happy with our forwards. It’s the best they’ve been in two years,” Raymond said. “Anna Anderson and Rachel Sherman are doing a great job of putting pressure on the defense.”

But Albert Lea’s Taylor Freihl added two scores on passes from Madi Passingham to close it out for the Tigers.

Albert Lea had 51 total shots and 17 shots on goal against Austin’s freshman goalie, Maing Garcia — who made a couple of diving saves among her 11 stops.

“She’s coming right along and she’s progressing,” Raymond said. “The unfortunate thing is sometimes when you don’t get the win as a young keeper you don’t see the positives in it. She’s doing everything we’re asking her to do.”

Albert Lea also got two goals from Morgan Stadheim and Chelsea Le Brun. The Tigers hit the top post four times during Tuesday’s contest.

SCORING

First half

(AL) Morgan Stadheim 2:15

(AL) Chelsea Le Brun 26:04

(A) Anna Anderson 32:08

Second half

(AL) Chelsea Le Brun 3:17

(AL) Morgan Stadheim 4:25

(A) Rachel Needham (Anna Anderson) 10:51

(AL) Taylor Freihl (Madi Passingham) 17:47

(AL) Taylor Freihl (Madi Passingham) 21:30

Shots on goal: Austin — 14; Albert Lea — 17