Full audio report: 

WAVERLY — This first season of high school soccer is a learning experience for Charles City players, coaches and fans alike. Tuesday was full of lessons to build on as the Comets prepare for their next game, which is Thursday against Garner-Hayfield/Ventura.

Tuesday’s game against Waverly-Shell Rock was originally scheduled to be at Comet Stadium, which remains under a blanket of snow. Charles City received 3 1/2 more inches of snow Sunday.

It was moved to Waverly, where the Go-Hawks broke out the shovels and cleared a field, said Waverly-Shell Rock athletic director Dave Litterer, who congratulated Charles City for getting its soccer program started.

The Go-Hawks beat the Comets by lopsided shutouts in the varsity and junior varsity matches — just as happened a week earlier against Waterloo Columbus — but more important for Charles City is the experience gained, such learning to play on a larger field and just how fast-paced and physical the high school game is, according to Comets head coach Brad McKenzie.

Waverly-Shell Rock was 10-5 last season and took third in state as recently as 2014. The Go-Hawks play offered the young Comets things to work on, such as strategy for inbounding the ball.

 

The Comets varsity and junior varsity squads take on Garner-Hayfield/Ventura beginning at 6:30 p.m. at Waldorf College in Forest City.