Gilbert stifles GC/G-R girls soccer in 1A regional final (PHOTOS)

GILBERT – With the wind blowing in their face in the first half, the Grundy Center/Gladbrook-Reinbeck girls soccer team held its ground as much as possible.
 
The winds of fortune did not change when Gilbert and the Rebels switched sides, though, and the Tigers asserted better ball control on the wet turf at Gilbert High School, putting more chances on target and shutting out GC/G-R, 3-0, to remain undefeated on the season and advance to the Class 1A state tournament.
 
GC/G-R (13-6) trailed 1-0 at halftime after an Eva Steckelberg goal six minutes into the half. The Rebels and keeper Carsen Hamann didn't let anything else get past before halftime. A brief, but steady rain at halftime made a turf surface that GC/G-R has sparingly played on even more unpredictable.
 
Five minutes into the second half, Gilbert pushed the lead to 2-0 on a Natalie Rudman goal and Steckelberg's second goal with just under 20 minutes remaining effectively closed the window for the Rebels to make a comeback.
 
"Going against the wind, we played tough and gave up one that was just unlucky with the wind," GC/G-R head coach Aaron Mara said. "... But [Gilbert] played a good game and we couldn't control the ball, and two shots won't win us a game, either."
 
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