Amanda Arends, Milli Haapala, Kendra Olchefske, Samantha Overgaard, Elyce Rehmke, Jaclyn Rehmke, Leah Walters and Whitney Wilson.

Those names have been synonymous with the Albert Lea girls&8217; soccer program for years. Tuesday night, they were honored by their teammates and fans for their contributions to the success of the Tiger team.

The team showed its appreciation to its fans by shutting out the visiting Mankato East Cougars 3-0.

It was also the first game back for Amanda Arends, who had been injured in the preseason.

&8220;It is a turning point in the program,&8221; Albert Lea head coach Rick Barnhill said. &8220;Kendra, Leah and Whitney are the last three who were on varsity before I came to Albert Lea.

I have relied heavily on them to set the example and be responsible team leaders on and off the field.

I am still relying on them and the other seniors to lead this team into sections.&8221;

There was a lot of emotion at the halftime ceremony, but not a lot in the match.

From the opening kickoff, the Tigers dominated the Cougars.

In the first half, it was mostly a half field game as the locals outshot the visitors 22-4; the lone goal going to Wilson in the 23rd minute.

It only took 89 seconds into the second half before Jenna Christensen drove deep down the far side and crossed to Abbey Arends, who drilled it home for the insurance goal.

The third and last goal of the night was the most entertaining.

In the 55th minute, Elyce Rehmke put a shot on goal that bounced back into play off the crossbar, directly to Connor Peterson, who promptly shot, hitting the inside of the left upright and ricocheting out to Christensen, who tapped it to Wilson, who threaded a left footed shot between the keeper and the right upright.