The Packers played some strong defense in a 2-1 win over Albert Lea in a boys soccer match at Art Hass Stadium Thursday.

Austin (10-3 overall, 6-3 Big Nine) held the Tigers (5-10 overall) to just three shots on goal and Austin took the lead for good two minutes into the second half when Jacob Brehmer knocked in a corner kick from Francisco Torres.

“It was off my shoulder and it was kind of lucky,” Brehmer said of his goal. “Francisco gave a perfect ball. That’s right where we want it and we practice that quite a bit. Sometimes all you need to do is get part of your body on it and it will go in.”

After Brehmer’s score, Albert Lea never had any serious chances as the Packer defense played stingy for the next 38 minutes.

“The defense came out and played strong,” Austin head coach Jens Levisen said. “We didn’t allow hardly any opportunities down there.”

The Packer offense got off to a slow start early, but if finally got on the board in the 36th minute of the match when Brehmer hit Henry Darling with a nice cross pass, that Darling knocked into the back of the net. Albert Lea tied the match up three minutes later when Oscar Hernandez knocked one into the corner of the net.

“It’s a rivalry game, you’ve got to expect Albert Lea to come out hard every time,” Brehmer said. “We’ve played these kids for a long time. They came out with a strong showing, but we played a good game too.”

A tough week of rain and cold contributed to the Packers’ slow start.

“The cold has a little to do with that and we’ve had practices and games canceled lately because of rain and cold,” Levisen said. “It took us awhile to get warmed up.”

Ryan Rasell had two saves for the Packers, who attempted 11 shots on goal.

Austin will play at Mankato West Friday at 4:30 p.m. and travel to Mankato East for an 11 a.m. match Saturday. The Packers will open the Section 1A tournament in Austin Tuesday against an opponent to be determined.