ABOVE: Fairmont Area’s Mollie Leiding charges past an Albert Lea defender in hopes of generating offense during Saturday afternoon’s Section 2A Tournament Quarterfinal at the Jeffery Kot Soccer Complex.

FAIRMONT – Albert Lea High School girls soccer goalkeeper Hailey Wallace put the final nail in the coffin during Saturday afternoon’s penalty shootout victory over Fairmont Area at the Jeffery Kot Soccer Fields. Wallace’s penalty kick went past the outstretched arms of Cardinal keeper Addison Folkerts to clinch the 1-0 victory, giving the Tigers a spot in the 2025 Section 2A Girls Soccer Championship match against Cannon Falls this Thursday.

“I let them know that I was really proud of them,” Fairmont head coach Matt Nielsen said. “The best part about being on a team is that a lot of times in life, when you go through hard times, you are by yourself. When you’re on a team and in a moment like this with the finality of the season, you have 22 other people who know exactly how you feel and can share that with you.”

After 80 minutes of regulation and a 20-minute sudden-death overtime period weren’t enough to break the 0-0 score, both coaches sent out their five best legs in hopes of taking home the penalty shootout victory.

Mollie Leiding broke the initial ice during the shootout following misses from both teams’ first set of kickers, punching the ball near the top of the net to rattle home the point. However, Evelyn Ravenhorst evened things up during Albert Lea’s turn to shoot, hitting the left side of the net to get her team on the board.

Fairmont’s next attempt from Audrey Nemmers went high, giving the Tigers a perfect opportunity to take the early advantage. Morgan Goskeson answered the bell for her team and drove the ball to her left. The shot fell directly into the net despite Folkerts’ making late contact with her fingertips.

The Cardinals ultimately came up short in their effort to tie the score. Mackenzie Gerhardt’s shot was placed well past the reach of Wallace in front of the net, but went too far right and deflected off the crossbar.

Wallace switched positions for a second, stepped up to the penalty box, and delivered the game-clinching shot to send the Tigers home with a victory.

Despite outshooting the Tigers throughout regulation and overtime periods, Fairmont was unable to come up with the game-sealing goal to finish the contest. The Cardinals, particularly in the second half, took control of ball possession thoroughly while stringing together a handful of shots on goal that narrowly missed.

Leiding was a big generator for Fairmont’s offense in the second half. Fans saw the midfielder constantly apply pressure to the Tigers’ back line. Whether it was a corner kick attempt, a free kick from outside the box, or a cross from either sideline, Leiding was responsible for multiple near-goal experiences on Saturday.

Fairmont ended the afternoon outshooting Albert Lea 17 to 10.

“I thought especially in the second half, we had control,” Nielsen said. “I told the girls at one point, ‘Jeez, we got four bars, we must have a good reception.’ We were hitting bars and taking it to them, getting the corner kicks and putting all the pressure on.”

Albert Lea got a chance at the net with less than three minutes to play in the second half. After crossing the ball in front of the net to draw out the Cardinal defense, Haley Austinson and Ravenhorst both had a chance at goal before Folkerts ultimately cleaned things up.

Fairmont ends the season with an 11-6-1 record, going 6-0 in conference play before beating New Ulm on Oct. 2 for the Big South Championship.