The Austin girls hockey team is still looking for its first win since Dec. 19, but the team is showing some good signs.

The Packers fought tooth and nail with Albert Lea, but fell a little short in a 2-1 loss in Riverside Arena Saturday.

The Tigers (7-11 overall, 5-6 Big Nine) scored both of their goals in the second period as Anna Anderson tied the game at 1-1 with a shot that floated over Maya Overby, who had dove to stop an earlier shot. AL took the lead for good when Hannah Savelkoul slapped in a shot with 3:16 left in the second period.

Overby finished with 36 saves in the loss and the Packers (5-13-2 overall, 2-11 Big Nine) had 18 shots on goal.

“We were a little bit over-aggressive and we made some mental mistakes in that second period,” Austin head coach Brett Vesel said. “Both of our goaltenders are outstanding. Mara was put in a couple of bad situations in the second period with those two goals, but she played outstanding.”

Austin played the game without eighth grader forward Myia Hoiuom, which meant that sophomore Brandi Myers had a chance to step in and skate with the Packers’ first line. Vesel liked what Myers gave the team.

“We’re playing without one of our best players in Myia Hoium. Without her, I’m pretty happy with how we played,” Vesel said. “Brandi has stepped up and I like what she’s doing. She’s starting to skate a lot harder.”

The Packers scored their lone goal in the first period when Madison Overby connected on an wrap-around goal on the power play to put the Packers up 1-0.

Austin lost to AL 4-1 Nov. 26.

“We’re getting better right now,” Vesel said. “I think we understand what our weaknesses our and we’re getting better at them.”

SCORING SUMMARY

AL 0 2 0 — 2

Austin 1 0 0 — 1

First period

(A) Madison Overby (power play) 12:11

Second period

(AL) Anna Anderson (Hannah Savelkoul) 5:20

(AL) Salvelkoul (Anderson) 13:44

Third period

No scoring

Power plays: Austin — 1-for-3; Albert Lea — 0-for-4

Shots: Austin — 18; Albert Lea — 38