The Helias Lady Crusaders ended the opening day of the Capital City Invitational on an up note.
"That second half was as good a half as we've played all season," Helias coach Brad Dempsey said after the Lady Crusaders topped Springfield Catholic 3-1 at the 179 Soccer Park. "We won every ball, we were strong all over the field, they didn't have a shot on goal, that was the team we want to be."
And he wouldn't mind if history repeated itself.
"This is when we shifted into gear last season," Dempsey said of the squad that went to the Class 2 Final Four. "If we can build off of that half, it could do the same for us this year."
That came after an up-and-down first half, which ended with Helias holding a 2-1 lead.
"Somebody can't want something more than yourself," Dempsey said. "The girls want it, we know they want it. But the spring schedule is so tight, these girls have a lot going on their lives and the season can be a roller coaster."
Helias got on the board 13 minutes into the contest when Kendall Smith scored off an assist from Tiffany Weaver. After Springfield Catholic tied it with 12 minutes to go before halftime, Weaver had a hand in getting Helias the lead for good.
The senior hustled to track down a ball just inside the end line, then centered a pass into the box in front of the Springfield Catholic net. Jordan Poire was there to knock it in to make it 2-1.
"Tiffany's improved so much, she's going at people hard," Dempsey said. "Both of those goals were a result of her going at people and working hard and getting the ball into the right spots.
"Those goals were great individual plays that were the result of great teamwork."
Kaysie Scheuler got Helias' final goal, scoring on a long shot with less than 30 seconds remaining.
Dempsey credited some Lady Crusaders reserves - Janie McCurren, Abby Farrow and Casey Linsenbardt - for coming up big in the win.
"Those girls had a big effect on this game, they got out there and stayed out there," Dempsey said. "They are pushing players for time."
Helias opened the day with a scoreless tie against Lee's Summit West.
"We kicked it around pretty good for the first 20 minutes, and then it turned into a bang-bang game the rest of the way," Dempsey said. "We had a couple of great opportunities, they had a couple of great opportunities."
Sydnee Kliethermes was in goal for Helias in the shutout.
"Sydnee is having a great season," Dempsey said. "She's developing into a very good keeper."
Helias (10-5-1, ranked No. 7 in Class 2) will wrap up play in the Invitational this morning against Rock Bridge. Helias defeated Rock Bridge 2-1 earlier this month in Columbia.
"I'm sure Rock Bridge is going to try to get one back on us," Dempsey said.
Game time is 9 a.m.