CMR downs Butte

The C.M. Russell boys' soccer team seems to have found its stride.

Coming off a crosstown victory over Great Falls High on Sept. 29, the Rustlers topped Butte High 1-0 Monday afternoon at West Kiwanis Park.

Senior forward Aaron Parker provided the advantage CMR would need in the 14th minute, getting behind the Bulldog defense and knocking in a nice lead pass from sophomore Bridger Brady.

The showdown was scheduled for last Saturday but was postponed due to snowy weather and field conditions. The game was moved from Siebel Soccer Park at the last minute because officials deemed the fields unplayable.

Senior captain Jarrod Simmons said although Kiwanis isn't the ideal playing surface, CMR (3-3-2) was able to get the job done.

"Well, we played alright," Simmons said. "Playing on this field, it's kind of a rough field but we were able to play pretty good. We need to communicate more and pass better but we're looking a lot better than we were at the beginning of the season."

The Rustlers were on the offensive for a majority of the game and had several close calls but weren't able to capitalize after Parker's early score.

CMR head coach Joel Marinaccio said the difference in the pitches at Siebel and Kiwanis were a factor in the game.

"It was kind of sloppy," Marinaccio said of the Rustlers' offense. "I kind of put it on the pitch. It's not as even as it is at (Siebel). It's not an excuse but it messes with the players' heads a little when they're about to settle a ball and it bounces in their face. We just couldn't find our feet out here."

The Rustlers' defense was very sharp, however, stymieing Butte's offensive attack as the Bulldogs rarely didn't spend much time in CMR territory.

Butte threatened late in the first half on a free kick that was tipped away by CMR All-State keeper Dan Enseleit. The Bulldogs followed up with another dangerous shot on goal, but Enseleit was in position again for the save.

Marinaccio said he's happy with where his defense is at at this point in the season.

"We've got the defense pretty much sorted out now," Marinaccio said. "(Simmons) and Joe (LaCasse) are doing a fantastic job back there together. I think we've finally got a back line I'm comfortable with now. I've always been a coach with the philosophy that it starts from the back and you work forward. Once you find that, everything else just kind of starts gelling."

Simmons began the year as a striker for CMR and he said the move to defense has been great for his team.

"I was playing offense in the beginning of the year and we were struggling when we started playing some of the better teams," Simmons said. "But I got moved back against Bozeman and it just kind of stuck there. It's been a great change I think."

Sophomore forward Braden Stremcha and junior Nathan Painter were very active pushing the ball for the Rustlers, and had several dangerous shots on goal.

Painter booted two long shots in the opening frame that just missed high and Stremcha had several attempts on goal. Stremcha's closest call came late in the final period, when he took a cross pass from Kolby Hannah and hit one off the left post.

Marinaccio said Stremcha and Painter both provide a good spark for the Rustlers' offense.

"There's only one other player I've coached at CMR who worked harder than Braden and that's Nick Downs (the third all-time leader in goals in Class AA history)," Marinaccio said. "That kid is like an energizer bunny he won't quit. We need to get him a goal because he's always engaged and he always wants into it.

"Painter is starting mold himself into that attacking-mid role we need him in and he's doing a good job of holding the middle out there."

CMR moves on to face Bozeman at Siebel on Friday at 5.