PRIOR LAKE – It’s not that the Albert Lea Tigers were intimidated by the top-seeded Prior Lake Lakers.

Wednesday, October 17, 2001

PRIOR LAKE – It’s not that the Albert Lea Tigers were intimidated by the top-seeded Prior Lake Lakers.

They just started a little slow.

The Tigers gave up a goal three minutes into the game and it proved to be the difference in a 2-1 loss in a Section 2A girls’ soccer semifinal game Tuesday.

&uot;I think the girls were a little tense, a little nervous the first five minutes,&uot; said Tigers coach Todd Lange. &uot;That hurt us.&uot;

But the fourth-seeded Tigers quickly gained their composure and played Prior Lake even the rest of the way. And if things had bounced differently, the outcome could have gone the other way. Twice in the first half the Tigers had shots carom off the goal post.

&uot;I don’t know if it would have been such an upset (if Albert Lea had won),&uot; said Lange. &uot;We’re knocking on the door. Every year I see this team moving up, making more progress. I feel good about our showing. It was a good season.&uot;

The Tigers’ goal came with about 14 minutes left in regulation, cutting the lead to 2-1. It was on an indirect free kick, which Katie Stenseth touched first and Brooke Plantage popped over the wall of defenders.

Prior Lake outshot Albert Lea 13-12.

&uot;It was a back and forth game,&uot; said Lange.

Liz Reynen played well in goal, according to Lange, as did Amy Ravenhorst and midfielders Stenseth and Laura Olson. Stephanie Overgaard was credited with playing an outstanding defensive game.

Prior Lake advanced to the section title game with a record of 13-4-3. The Tigers finished 6-10-3.