Prince Lebbi

ALBERT LEA — Junior forward Prince Lebbi produced game-bests of four goals and two assists to power the Fairmont Area Cardinals to a 7-2 nonconference boys soccer victory over the Albert Lea Tigers on Saturday at Hammer Complex in Albert Lea.

Lebbi generated a rare natural hat trick by netting three consecutive goals during the opening half’s first 12 minutes.

Lebbi needed just 59 seconds to convert teammate Matthew Kotewa’s pass into the contest’s first goal for a quick 1-0 lead.

Lebbi and Kotewa worked their potent connection on the heels of an unassisted Lebbi score at the 6:42 juncture.

Kotewa distributed the second of his game-leading three assists to set up Lebbi’s third consecutive net-finding blast for a 3-0 lead 12:09 into the initial first half.

Kotewa then completed his playmaker by spotting teammate Eli Broomfield for a goal and a 4-0 margin on the scoreboard at the 19:51 juncture.

After an Albert Lea goal, Kotewa and Lebbi reversed roles as Kotewa kicked home a goal off a pass from Lebbi to stake Fairmont Area to a 5-1 halftime lead.

Sebastian Leon Lorenzo sent a shot into the webbing off a Lebbi assist to open the second-half scoring for Fairmont Area at the 16:04 mark.

After another Tigers’ goal, Lebbi found the twine on another unassisted goal at the 38:54 mark to cap the Cardinals’ offensive production.

Goalie Jonathan Heinze turned away 4 of 6 shots for the Cardinals, who produced a 13-6 edge in shots-on-goal.

Fairmont Area (5-3-2) travels to New Ulm on Tuesday for a 7 p.m. Big South Conference game.

Albert Lea (2-6) hits the road to Mankato West on Tuesday night for a Big Nine Conference contest.

SCORING PLAYS

1st Half

FA–Prince Lebbi (Matthew Kotewa), 0:59.

FA–Prince Lebbi (unassisted), 6:42.

FA–Prince Lebbi (Matthew Kotewa), 12:09.

FA–Eli Broomfield (Matthew Kotewa), 19:51.

AL–23:06.

FA–Matthew Kotewa (Prince Lebbi), 32:54.

2nd Half

FA–Sebastian Leon Lorenzo (Prince Lebbi), 16:04.

AL–17:33.

FA–Prince Lebbi (unassisted), 42:54.

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Albert Lea shut out Fairmont Area, 10-0, in junior varsity boys action Saturday in Albert Lea.