The Alexandria girls soccer team had enjoyed a 3-0 start to the season, and the Cardinals still haven’t lost as they played to their first tie in a 1-1 game at St. Cloud Tech on Tuesday.
The Tigers (0-2-1) had lost a couple close games against Bemidji (2-0) and Willmar (2-1) to start their season, and Tech keeper Megan Maiers frustrated Alexandria with 11 saves on Tuesday. Alexandria head coach Tom Roos was happy with the way his team was able to control the pace of play, despite not being able to find the back of the net much.
“The ability to possess the ball was fantastic by our girls tonight - perhaps better than any Alex girls team that we have seen,” Roos said. “Scoring was tough. I am hoping we can turn that around against Apollo on Thursday.”
The only goal for the Cardinals came at the 20:32 mark in the second half. Ella Westlund connected off an assist from Sophia Korynta.
Korynta, a freshman for Alexandria, attacked the left side of the field and sent a crossing pass to Westlund, who beat Maiers with a low shot that put the Cardinals up 1-0.
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That lead lasted just three minutes. A long St. Cloud Tech free kick was not played out cleanly by the Cardinals, and the Tigers’ Molly Berkstrand got free from the crowd and put a loose ball in from about 12 yards out. Alexandria continued to put pressure on the net over the final 20 minutes, but could not find the game winner.
Westlund and Molly Panther led the Cardinals in shots with six apiece. Allie Randazzo also pressured Maiers with five shots.
Alexandria’s Sophia Vinje made three saves in the tie as the Cardinals’ defense made scoring chances hard to come by for Tech.
Alexandria will now look ahead to Senior Night on Thursday back home at AAHS when St. Cloud Apollo (0-4) comes to town for another Central Lakes Conference game.
