Reserves propel Helias soccer to win against Kirksville

Something was a little off.

The game was scoreless nearly 15 minutes into Monday night’s action between Helias and Kirksville at the 179 Soccer Park. It was time for a shakeup and a handful of the Lady Crusaders’ reserves came in to see if they could provide a spark.

They did. And it was quick.

Olivia Wolken got the Lady Crusaders on the board before another minute ticked off the clock as Helias went on to post an 8-0 victory.

“We just weren’t clicking,” Helias coach Brad Dempsey said. “We weren’t doing a good job of communicating, but when those girls came in off the bench, things changed for the better.”

Wolken’s goal was the first of six in the final 24 minutes of the half for the Lady Crusaders.

Wolken, a junior, was credited with assists on Helias’ next two scores. Morgan Wieberg headed in a free kick from Wolken with about 19 minutes remaining, then Wolken found Krystal Brauner, who bombed in a shot from near the top of the box to make it 3-0.

“The girls that come off the bench are really key for us,” Dempsey said. “We rely on them to play well when they get into the game and they did tonight.”

Reese Hamilton made it 4-0 on a breakaway with about 12 minutes to go before intermission. Maggie Kehoe followed that five minutes later with a score on a penalty kick, then on the ensuing possession, Julie Harris scored off an assist from Kehoe.

Helias outshot Kirksville 17-0 in the half, including a 12-0 bulge in those on net.

Up big at the break, the Lady Crusaders settled into a possession-style attack in the final 40 minutes.

Kayla Yanskey made it 7-0 about 10 minutes into the half off an assist by Harris.

Helias’ final goal came with two minutes remaining from senior Haley Samson.

Ashley Rehagen was in goal in the first half of the shutout for the Lady Crusaders, while Ally Webb took over in the final 40 minutes. Neither keeper had to make a save in the game as Helias finished with a 30-1 edge in total shots.

Helias (6-5, ranked No. 10 in Class 3 by the Missouri High School Soccer Coaches Association) will host Hannibal today. An abbreviated JV game will start at 5 p.m., followed by the varsity contest around 6 p.m.

In Monday’s JV game, Helias defeated Kirksville 9-0.