FAIRMONT — The early stages of the 2019 girls soccer season in southern Minnesota indicate it’s the year of the goalie.

Fairmont Area’s Becker-Becker combination — Joni and Cadence — paced the Cardinals’ hard-fought 1-0 nonconference victory over sure-handed Albert Lea goalkeeper Marissa Vogt and the Tigers on Tuesday night at Kot Soccer Complex.

Fairmont Area striker Joni Becker blasted home the closely-contested clash’s only goal off midfielder Alyssa Wiederhoeft’s lofted lead pass with 16:37 remaining in regulation to reverse the Cardinals’ season-opening fate last Thursday night.

“All I can say about Albert Lea’s keeper (Vogt) is WOW!” said Fairmont Area head coach Matt Nielsen, whose lineup lost a similar defensive battle to St. Peter and Saints’ goalie Katie Gurrola, 1-0, five days ago. “She (Vogt) kept them in the game by stopping nearly everything we shot at her.”

Vogt made a critical diving save on Sami Lenort’s well-placed penalty kick with 20:15 showing on the scoreboard en route to seven first-half stops. Vogt finished with a game-best 15 saves.

The Albert Lea senior goalie also tipped away Joni Becker’s chip shot from the left door step, gloved Lexi Kaufman’s laser liner from the 30-yard mark and made a stretched-out sweeping save on Emma Schultze’s right-post shot off a perfect crossing pass from Joni Becker during the initial 40 minutes.

“I didn’t want be on the short end of another possible 1-0 score, so I took a chance and rolled the offense into a 3-4-3 and went for it,” said Nielsen. “We were able to put pressure on their defense and Joni converted to give us the lead.

“I’m amazed that any of my strategies worked tonight with the way she (Vogt) played keeper. She snuffed a PK and laid out all night to keep us off the scoreboard.”

Vogt then stonewalled Lenort on a right-wing break, Ellie Schultze on a left end-line loft and Kaufman on a riser from the point to keep the Tigers in the second half.

“We outshot them 15-6, so we accomplished one of our goals tonight,” said Nielsen.

Cadence Becker also proved her mettle by halting five second-half Albert Lea shots on goal after gloving the Tigers’ only first-half attempt at the net to earn the victory between the posts.

“Another game with two really good keepers (Vogt and Becker),” said Nielsen.

Carissa Saxton, McKayla Chambers and Hailey Obernolte provided stellar defensive support in front of Cadence Becker, preventing Albert Lea from getting clean looks at the net.

Fairmont Area (2-1, 1-1 Big South) plays host to Mankato Loyola at 7 p.m. Thursday night at Kot Soccer Complex. Albert Lea (0-3) is idle until playing host to Faribault on Sept. 5.

Albert Lea 0-0–0

Fairmont 0-1–1

Scoring Plays

2nd Half

FA–Joni Becker (Alyssa Wiederhoeft), 16:37.

Shots on goal: Fairmont Area 7-8–15; Albert Lea 1-5–6. Corners: Fairmont Area 4; Albert Lea 2.

Saves: Marissa Vogt (AL) 7-7–14; Cadence Becker (FA) 1-6–7.

Albert Lea posted a 4-1 victory over Fairmont Area during junior varsity action Tuesday at Kot Soccer Complex.

Allison Janssen produced the Cardinals’ only goal by converting a second-half penalty kick.

Abby Cihoski and Kaiden Boerner combined to handle Fairmont Area’s netkeeping duties.

Elayna Anderson generated a hat trick to power Fairmont Area to a 3-1 triumph over Albert Lea during C-squad action Tuesday.

Kennedy Baarts distributed two assists on Anderson’s goals, while Karissa Newville doled out one helper.

Goalie Madi Stromberg tallied 13 saves to net the win for Fairmont Area (2-0).