The ball was in their defensive zone the majority of the game, but it didn’t bother coach Todd Lange and the Albert Lea High School girls’ soccer team.

They just wanted to keep it out of the net. And they did.

The Tigers tried a defensive approach against high-powered Rochester Century and it paid off with a 0-0 tie at Hammer Field Tuesday night.

&uot;We knew it would be a battle going against Rochester Century, and the girls rose to the occasion,&uot; said Lange, whose squad lost 4-1 earlier this season at Century. &uot;We’re pretty pleased with the 0-0 tie. Century is playing right near the top of the Big Nine, and we’re right there with them at this point.&uot;

The win was the Tigers’ fifth in a row without a loss and the third time in a row they’ve shut out their opponents, running their record to 3-1-3 in the Big Nine and 4-2-3 overall.

While Century outshot the Tigers 17-7, Albert Lea was able to keep most of the shots a safe distance from goalie Liz Reynen, who got her third shutout of the season.

As she did at Century, the Tigers’ Brianne Plantage defended a returning all-conference forward and shut her down.

Anna Sigurdson, playing only her second varsity game on defense, also played well.

&uot;She was a powerhouse defender,&uot; said Lange.

Steph Overgaard, Mandy Ardolf, Shawnna Robertson and Katie Dooley also played well defensively, according to Lange.

Amy Ravenhorst led the offense.

&uot;It was our homecoming game, parents night and senior night,&uot; said Lange. &uot;There were a lot of potential distractions, but the girls played well and got the job done.&uot;

The Albert Lea junior varsity lost 6-0 while the C-squad fell 4-0.

The Tigers travel to Owatonna Thursday.