After Friday's action in the Capital City Classic was rained out, the Helias Crusaders were glad to get back on the field Saturday.
"It's good for us," Helias coach Michael Metzger said after the Crusaders bested North County 4-1 at the 179 Soccer Park. "We got a little more experience today. It was another opportunity for us to improve."
In the opener, Helias needed just a little more than two minutes to get on the scoreboard. Elliott Lammers did the honors, assisted by Logan Pfenenger.
"Scoring that early definitely helps our cause," Metzger said. "It gives us momentum and gets us excited for the rest of the game."
Helias doubled its advantage late in the opening half. Isaac Johnson of the Crusaders got a short corner kick, then dribbled before lining a long shot into the top of the net on the opposite side.
"I told him it was a decent hit, I have to give him a hard time," Metzger said. "That was a great finish."
Grant Stokes added a pair of goals in the second half for the Crusaders. The first came on a breakaway with the North County keeper out of the net.
"Some people might think those were easy goals, but it takes a bit of composure to finish those," Metzger said. "To be able to focus on the ball and knock it in.
"You don't have to blast it, just get it to the back of the net. We're not looking to get the most beautiful goal of the season, we just want the goal."
The second came on an assist by Nick Brandt.
"This was a good win for us," Metzger said.
Helias then dropped its second game Saturday, falling 3-2 to Joplin. Luke Mercurio and Grant Mengwasser tallied the goals for the Crusaders, with Pfenenger picking up another assist.
Joplin scored the final three goals of the game to get the victory.
Helias (8-4) is back in action Tuesday at Quincy (Ill.) Notre Dame.
"That's going to be a battle," Metzger said.
The JV game will start at 4:30 p.m., followed by the varsity contest around 6 p.m.