The weather was definitely a factor for the Albert Lea High School boys’ soccer team.

Until overtime, anyway. Then things pretty much went as planned.

The Tigers scored both their goals in the first 10-minute extra session and defeated Glencoe-Silver Lake 2-0 in the quarterfinal round of the Section 1A Boys’ Soccer Tournament at Hammer Field Saturday.

“It was extremely wet and windy,” said Tigers coach Elia Romano, whose squad is seeded fourth in the section. “The slippery field and strong winds really made it a tough day to get good touches on the ball and a very hard day to finish. We outshot them 13-3 on the day and I think we would have had even more shots and better quality shots had the weather been less of a factor.”

The Tigers’ first goal came from a familiar source – but one we haven’t seen for several weeks. Jeremy Jacobson, returning from an injury, scored on a penalty kick after taking a beautiful pass from Brady Plantage and getting pulled down from behind.

The second goal was by Jake Clark on a crossing pass from Nate Lombardi, who beat two defenders before launching it just past the far post.

“The defense really came together communicating well and winning the aerial battle by a margin,” said Romano, praising the play of Jake Levisen, Tyler Weise, Joe Squires, Andy Stapleton and Logan Schallock.

Taylor Zimmerman led the defense.

“He was given the responsibility of marking their most dangerous offensive player,” said Romano. “He managed to keep him from shooting once the entire game.”

The win advanced the Tigers to the semifinal round today at 5 p.m. at top-seeded Northfield. The winner meets No. 2 Mankato West or No. 3 Southwest Minnesota Christian Thursday for the section championship and state tournament berth.

(Contact Jim Lutgens at sports@albertleatribune.com or 379-3437.)