The Albert Lea girls’ soccer team hadn’t lost to a section opponent in the regular season since 2004. That streak came to an end Saturday, as the Tigers lost to New Ulm 4-1 in the championship game of the Albert Lea Invite at Hammer Field.

“Every new beginning comes from some other beginning’s end,” Albert Lea head coach Rick Barnhill said.

That will be the motto as the girls try and start a new win streak Tuesday as they travel to section opponent Mankato West.

New Ulm struck first Saturday, scoring off of a corner kick 12 1/2 minutes into the game. Taylor Friehl responded quickly, though, as she evened the score just 30 seconds later off an Ariel Christensen assist.

The Tigers (5-4) took a 2-1 deficit to halftime, but New Ulm scored twice within the first five minutes of the second half to take control of the match.

“I think we became frightened and intimidated at that point,” Barnhill said of the 4-1 deficit. “I don’t really have a feel for who we are at this point.”

Though New Ulm won, they didn’t dominate overall, putting up just 26 shots to Albert Lea’s 20.

“It was a strange game because the stats were pretty close,” Barnhill said. “They made the most out of their opportunities whereas we squandered several golden opportunities with quality chances at goal.”

New Ulm 4, Albert Lea 1

New Ulm 2 2 — 4

Albert Lea 1 0 — 1