CMB learns a lot from loss to ranked Rebels

MAXWELL — Sometimes the matchup on the field just doesn’t favor you.

The Collins-Maxwell/Baxter boys soccer team is young and undersized but uses its speed to its advantage.

The Gladbrook-Reinbeck squad, as talented as it is, has much more size, and that size took away the Raiders’ strength during an 11-0 road win on Tuesday.

“For us, we just need to go to the ball and be aggressive. We worked quite a bit on that this week, but it still needs some work,” CMB coach Chad Grandon said. “Because we are so young, teams that are physical hurt us. We need to hold our own better. The game of soccer is physical. We need to realize that.

“The top soccer teams in the state are physical, and they win the ball. We just have to go to the ball and win it. That’s what Gladbrook-Reinbeck did.”

The Class 1A fourth-ranked Rebels stayed unbeaten on the season after posting a 6-0 lead at halftime.

The Rebels (4-0) kept the ball in their half of the field the entire match. They outshot CMB 18-0, and the Raiders’ quick forwards rarely received the ball in open spaces.

Freshman Brendyn Padget started the match in goal for CMB but moved to defender in the second half. Padget had six first-half saves, while junior Drake Ross stopped two G-R shots in the second half.

Grandon hopes his squad saw what it takes to be a state championship caliber team. The Rebels placed third in 1A last season.

“It was clear to our guys that in order for us to be better we have to watch the best teams play,” Grandon said. “We did that tonight. Gladbrook-Reinbeck will most likely be the best team we’ll play all year. We can take a lot from it, but we also have to move on and get ready for Pella Christian.”

Pella Christian (6-0) is another undefeated and ranked team. The 1A No. 5 Eagles host CMB at 7 p.m. Thursday.