Helias boys soccer looks for another deep run

Helias midfielder Sam Heckart tries to control the ball while being challenged by Battle defender Ben Peng
Helias midfielder Sam Heckart tries to control the ball while being challenged by Battle defender Ben Peng

The Helias Crusaders hit their stride midway through the soccer season last season.

This year, they're hoping to shorten the process.

"We're looking to get back to that point as quickly as possible," Helias coach Michael Metzger said as the Crusaders prepared for today's opener at Camdenton.

Last year, the Crusaders advanced to the Class 3 Final Four, finishing tied for third. And with eight starters returning, the talent is there for another deep postseason run.

But that's down the road. There's work to be done.

"At this point, we just want to make sure the players are in shape," Metzger said. "One of my goals is that we are the fittest team in the state. We've been working on our endurance."

Metzger is in his second season at the helm.

"If I look at where we are now and compare it to where we were at this time last year, there's a huge difference," he said. "That's promising for this season. We're starting in a much better position.

"They didn't know what to expect from me. Now they know. I think people didn't have that last year. And for me, the learning process was there for me as well. I got to know the players and figured some things out.

"This year, that process is already started."

Even with the wealth of returning talent, there is competition for starting spots among the 32 players on the roster.

"The way that I coach and like to do things is the lineup can change at any time," Metzger said. "If a player doesn't give the effort and do everything he can during training, we'll find someone that will.

"Everybody on the varsity roster is going to have a chance to start."

Helias does have a pair of returning all-state players in senior Sam Heckart and sophomore Nick Brandt.

Heckart was a first-team defender last season and will start at center back.

"He's a real leader," Metzger said. "He gives his teammates all he has every day out here and that's why he's been successful. He has a bright future."

Brandt was a second-team pick at forward.

"Every time he's out on the pitch, you get everything he has," Metzger said.

Effort will decide the playing time for many of the players.

"We have a number of guys who are capable of doing good stuff," Metzger said. "It's just a matter of finding the right combination.

"That's now, that's two weeks from now. They players get that, they didn't last year. There were times I had to bench the whole first team. It's not always about winning."

Metzger said the players came into preseason practice more fit than last year.

"They knew how it was last year was and they didn't want to go through that again," he said.

Helias has gotten more technical in training in the past week.

"We're getting better every day," Metzger said. "We want to come out to train to get better each day and I think we're doing that."

"We're not where we need to be, but there's not a team out there that can say that they are. But we're in a good spot for what we want to accomplish.

"We just want them to come out and work hard and everything will fall into place."

Helias will have four games and one tournament under its belt before playing its first home game.

"It's a road-heavy schedule this year," Metzger said. "It's just something we're going to have to deal with."

Helias' first home game is Sept. 6 against Fatima.