By Nick Gerhardt
Northfield made it back-to-back wins Thursday after dominating Albert Lea in a 7-0 victory at Memorial Field in Northfield.
The win marked the first time this season the Raiders (5-3-1, 5-1 Big 9) have put together consecutive victories following their thrilling 2-1 overtime win Tuesday over rival Austin at Memorial Field.
Pablo Orrego Zapata and Leo Runestad each scored twice for Northfield in the first half as the Raiders built a 6-0 lead by halftime. Orrego Zapata scored just three minutes into the game off a cross that bounced to him and he slotted into the back of the net.
Three minutes later Runestad notched his first goal of the game. Runestad beat a defender down the near sideline and scored on a near-post shot for a quick 2-0 lead.
In the 23rd minute, Juan Rosas Gomez scored to push the lead to 3-0 before Orrego Zapata and Runestad added their second goals of the game in quick succession.
Runestad collected a cross at the far post and scored on the near side of the goal again to make it 4-0. Orrego Zapata struck a minute later on a rocket one-time shot from the top of the 18-yard box.
Augie Dittrich closed the first-half scoring off with a penalty kick conversion in the 36th minute.
Stephen Kallestad got a goal in the 76th minute, following a few earlier chances, when he collected a rebound that richotted off the post and sent a shot into the back of the net.
The Raiders tallied seven corner kicks in the game and held the Tigers (0-8, 0-7 Big 9) to one corner kick.
Northfield will face an undefeated Winona (7-0-2, 5-0-2 Big 9) Tuesday in Winona. The Winhawks remain the only unbeaten team in the conference after defeating Austin 1-0 Thursday. The Raiders trail Rochester John Marshall, Rochester Mayo, Winona and Owatonna in the conference standings.