The Helias Crusaders made it look easy.
Like a 3-0 lead after less than four minutes into the game easy.
The Crusaders scored early and often Monday night, rolling to a 9-0 victory against the Camdenton Lakers in a game called with 16:20 remaining due to lightning in the area at the 179 Soccer Park.
"The guys were ready to play," Helias coach Jay Hebenheimer said. "The guys were ready to start the season tonight."
Even Hebenheimer, in his first game as head coach at Helias after serving for two seasons as an assistant, was surprised by the early barrage.
"I don't know that I've seen that type of energy at any time in the three years I've been here," Hebenheimer said. "I feel like they gave me everything they had.
"I told them at halftime if they bring this kind of energy every single game, we are going to beat the teams we're not supposed to beat."
The Crusaders entered the game determined to pressure the Lakers from the start. And that's what they did, keeping the ball in their offensive end for most of the first half.
"That's by design, we want to play pressure and make the other team into making mistakes," Hebenheimer said.
Helias got on the board less than a minute into the game, then scored twice in less than a minute to take a 3-0 lead just 3:41 into the contest.
"I was just looking to get a win, I wasn't expecting to see anything like this," Hebenheimer said. "This tells me the boys are buying in and want to be successful."
Helias then stretched that advantage to 7-0 at the half.
"I think we could have played anybody tonight and we would have been successful," Hebenheimer said.
The only question entering the second half was would the Crusaders take a 10-goal lead to end the game by the mercy rule. Helias did get two scores before Mother Nature brought a premature halt to the contest.
"This is a statement game for us," Hebenheimer said. "Literally, I had goosebumps at times tonight.
Arris Pardalos and Nick Brandt both scored three goals for Helias. Logan Pfeneger had two, while Carson Mudd totaled one. Elliott Lammers dished out two assists, as did Pardalos. Pfeneger and Mudd had one each.
Luke Mercurio did not have to stop a shot in picking up the shutout in goal for the Crusaders in his debut in net after battling through the preseason for the starting spot.
"It was a tough decision, but ultimately, I decided to go with Luke and it's his job now," Hebenheimer said.
Helias is back in action Friday and Saturday at the Quincy (Ill.) Notre Dame Tournament. The Crusaders open the tournament with a contest against the host school at 7:30 p.m. Friday.
Helias won Monday's JV game 10-0. Zach Paschal, Luke Hines, Sam Thompson and Jason Andrews had two goals each for the Crusaders. Mason Schrimpf and Ethan Rackers both had one.