Inconsistent Helias falls to Visitation Academy

In practice, they see it. It's just not showing up on game day.

"Other teams are getting better, we're getting better, but it's not showing up on the field on a consistent basis," Helias coach Brad Dempsey said Monday night after the Lady Crusaders dropped a 5-0 decision to the Visitation Academy Vivettes at the 179 Soccer Park.

"We're struggling. But we'll figure it out, we will figure it out."

Helias has dropped its last three games, all by shutout.

"Some teams never click, some have high expectations and fall short," Dempsey said. "But we're still writing the story for this season, it's not over yet.

"We're going to continue to try and get every ounce of energy out of every player and try to get it to click. And we believe that can happen and eventually those pieces will fall together."

Visitation Academy (10-2-1, ranked No. 4 in Class 3) led 1-0 at the half on an early goal by Abby O'Keefe, who slotted a shot with her left foot into the top of the opposite corner of the net.

The Vivettes scored twice in the first four minutes of the second half to make it 3-0 on goals by Grace Cantwell and Kayleigh Stahlschmidt. They then tallied their final two goals - scored by Stahlschmidt and Brynne Polivka - in a two-minute span midway through the final half.

Helias had just two shots against Visitation Academy, which posted its seventh shutout of the season.

"They aren't five goals better than us, they were tonight," Dempsey said.

Dempsey said the Lady Crusaders are still working with the chemistry between their veteran and younger players.

"We're having trouble bringing that together with confidence on the field," he said. "You can see moments where you can see where we can play with teams like this. But there are moments where we didn't believe we could play and we were just going to defend and that's not the philosophy that we have."

Things don't figure to get any easier for the Lady Crusaders (7-8-1) when they travel to Burlington, Iowa, for three games later this week in the Tournament of Champions.

"We need to concentrate on us," Dempsey said. "For us to go away, have time together and enjoy it, that is what we need right now after the last three games. We're capable, we just need to quit worrying and just play soccer."

Helias is part of the top bracket of the event and will open against Divine Savior Holy Angels of Milwaukee, Wis., at 5 p.m. Thursday. Visitation Academy is also in Helias' half of the bracket.

"Obviously (the Vivettes) are going to contend for a state championship and our coaching staff believes we can compete with teams like that," Dempsey said. "I'd love to play them again, it would be a good measuring stick."

In the JV game, Visitation Academy defeated Helias 5-1. Maddie Casten had the goal for the Lady Crusaders.