The Albert Lea girls’ golf team earned its first home dual meet win of the season Friday at Wedgewood Cove Golf Club.

As the temperature soared to 68 degrees, the Tigers defeated United South Central 213-239 in a nine-hole game.

Albert Lea’s Chelsey Battle was the medalist by finishing in 50 strokes. She stayed on pace after completing the 18-hole course in 96 strokes against Mankato East on April 22. Her best mark of the season was 86 on April 17 at the Mississippi National Golf Links in Red Wing.

Samantha Nielsen claimed the runner-up medalist spot. She played half as many holes against USC than she did against Mankato East, and her score was exactly half as many strokes: 52.

Madeline Dahl and Camille Tewes also factored into the Tigers’ team scoring. Dahl shot a 55, and Tewes had a 56.

United South Central was led by Katelyn Loegering and Kyley Bullerman. Loegering earned the top score for the Rebels by completing the course in 55 strokes. Bullerman followed with one additional stroke.

Albert Lea coach Shawn Riebe was happy with the win, but he was not pleased with how the team’s average score shot up through 18 holes by an average of 52.5 strokes the last two outings after completing the 18-hole course in Red Wing in 370 strokes. He said they need to get rid of those pesky 8s, 9s and 10s on their cards.

“We’re still struggling with consistency, which is causing some frustration,” Riebe said. “I don’t think this is even close to our level of talent. I think it’s just a matter of time and a couple good rounds, and we’ll be back on track.”

In the junior varsity, Albert Lea’s Natalie Nafzger shot a 51, a score that would’ve made her the runner-up medalist on varsity.

Next, Albert Lea will play at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday in a triangular with Faribault and Rochester John Marshall at Northern Hills Golf Club. USC will host a triangular against Blooming Prairie and Maple River at 4:30 p.m. Monday at Oak View Golf Club.