UNION, Mo. - Once they got the lead, the Helias Crusaders were not going to let it go.
Nate Mercurio's goal with seven minutes remaining Wednesday night snapped a scoreless tie and lifted Helias to a 1-0 victory against the Camdenton Lakers in the Class 3 District 9 Soccer Tournament championship game.
The winning play was set up by a long throw-in by Brad Kemna to Mercurio.
"Nate beat his defender and sent it to the far post on the ground and hit it," Register said.
From there, it was a matter of playing defense to protect the lead.
"I don't think they had a chance to get a shot off in the last seven minutes," Register said. "We played great defense."
Helias keeper Ben Mitan picked up his fifth shutout of the season.
With the win, Helias (10-13-2) advances to Tuesday night's sectional against either Willard or Bolivar. Those two play tonight for the District 10 Tournament title.
Helias cannot host that game, tentatively slated for a 6 p.m. start.
"We improved each and every game and finally we got to districts and we played as a team and find that peak," Register said. "It is great to see that."