It's back to the practice field for the Helias Lady Crusaders.
Now finally getting a break from a busy schedule at the start of the season, Helias coach Jay Hebenheimer is ready for it.
"Practice is where we can fix some things," Hebenheimer said after Helias dropped a 4-0 decision Wednesday night to the Rock Bridge Bruins at the Crusader Athletic Complex. "With the game-practice, game-practice, game-practice we've had recently, we haven't had a chance to really work on some of the little things and that can really only be done on the practice field."
That said, it was a solid performance Wednesday for the Lady Crusaders.
"That was not a 4-0 game," Hebenheimer said. "I think at times this year, we've feared our opponents. We needed to start respecting them, not fearing them, and that's what happened tonight. That's a quality team we just played.
"I feel like if everything was clicking tonight, we had a definite chance to beat this team. But they weren't and we need to continue to work to get to where things are clicking."
Helias did a good job of possessing the ball against Rock Bridge, but couldn't find the back of the net against Bruin keeper Abby Green.
"We just couldn't finish," Hebenheimer said.
On the other side, the Bruins scored on two of their first three shots on goal.
Payton McCallister got Rock Bridge on the board five minutes into the game. Caroline Cole then made it 2-0 about two minutes later, dribbling for nearly three quarters of the field before lining home a shot with her left foot.
Rock Bridge (4-1) got its final two goals late in the second half as McCallister and Cole each got their second of the contest.
Emilee Nappier was back at keeper for the Lady Crusaders, in for an injured Ally Webb. Nappier had started the season in goal, but had moved to a position on the field in recent games.
"It's not a permanent move, it was something just for tonight out of necessity," Hebenheimer said.
Helias (3-3) is off until Monday when it goes to St. Dominic.
In Wednesday's JV game, Helias and Rock Bridge finished tied at 1. Bailey Henson scored for Helias (2-2-1). The game was limited to one half.