It wasn't Helias' best effort.
But more important, it was a winning one.
"We struggled to play with the intensity we've played with before," Helias coach Brad Dempsey said after the Lady Crusaders blanked the Battle Spartans 3-0 on Monday at the 179 Soccer Park. "It seemed like we weren't on the same page today, we couldn't connect on passes and our communication was a little off. We just have to improve on that stuff."
Sarah Pierle got the Lady Crusaders on the board nine minutes into the game, booming home a long shot off an assist by Kayla Yanskey. It was Helias' first shot of the game and the only score of the first half.
"Battle came out and played hard," Dempsey said.
Helias doubled its lead early in the second half on a goal by Paige Weaver, assisted by Reese Hamilton.
"Paige did a great job of moving the ball and Reese was making plays and taking it at people," Dempsey said.
Battle (3-3) was held to just one shot in the game - that coming with 16:30 remaining in the contest as Helias keeper Ashley Rehagen made the save.
Dempsey credited junior center backs Morgan Wieberg and Lexy Lamb for keeping the Spartans from getting anything dangerous near the Lady Crusader net.
"They've both been starting since they were freshmen," he said. "They are controlling the game, doing what we're asking them to do the entire game. They've been strong all year."
Olivia Farrow, a freshman, scored in her first varsity game, with the goal coming with a little more than 11 minutes left.
"She touched the ball at least 15 times, it seemed like she was always in the play when she was out there," Dempsey said.
Dempsey was pleased with what he saw from many of his younger players Monday.
"It's a young team still getting some experience and we're working hard," he said. "We're still figuring things out.
"We have plenty of girls who are ready to step up and play a role."
But with that inexperience can come some growing pains.
"We have to be consistent," Dempsey said. "We have to be ready every day. Everybody has to want it."
Helias (3-1) will host St. Joseph's Academy on Wednesday. The JV game is slated for a 4:30 p.m. start, with the varsity to follow around 6:15 p.m. St. Joseph's Academy, ranked No. 8 in the country by TopDrawerSoccer.com, is scheduled to open its season today against Visitation Academy.
In Monday's JV game limited to 40 minutes, Helias defeated Battle 3-0. Hamilton, Kelsey Schenewerk and Michalee Sipi scored for the Lady Crusaders.