One stat tells the story - the Helias Crusaders scored more goals than the Marshall Owls had shots.
"As our defense goes, our team goes," Helias coach Jay Hebenheimer said Thursday night after the Crusaders blanked the Marshall Owls 5-0 at the Crusader Athletic Complex. "I really feel like we have one of the best defenses in Class 3."
That defense was on display against the Owls. Marshall didn't have a shot in the first half and finished with just four in the game, none on goal.
"That's a testament to how strong our defense can be." Hebenheimer said.
Marshall had multiple instances of offensive buildup in the contest. But those all fell apart soon after the Owls crossed midfield.
"Ryan Hake and Elliott Lammers are shut down defenders for us," Hebenheimer said. "Teams can get to the final third, but those two guys are so strong back there ready to clean things up."
Helias got the only goal it would need with a little less than 24 minutes remaining in the first half when Isaac Johnson drilled a low liner into the net from about 30 yards out.
"A low driven ball at the keeper is the most dangerous shot you can make because those shots give them the most trouble," Hebenheimer said.
The Crusaders doubled their lead about five minutes later when Luke Hynes scored off an assist by Kaleb Wilson.
Hynes made it 3-0 in the opening two minutes of the second half, drilling a shot from the top of the box. Nick Brandt assisted on the score.
"When Luke can find space, he's tough to stop," Hebenheimer said.
Johnson hit a second liner for a goal midway through the second half, then finished with a hat trick with less than five minutes remaining off an assist by Zach Paschal in a scramble in front of the Marshall net.
"(Johnson) needed that," Hebenheimer said. "He had been hitting them and hitting them, but not much was going on frame.
"But Ike is a special player and I knew they were going to start going in again."
Helias, which had a 12-game winning streak snapped Monday, has now won two straight.
"If we can put 12 together again, we're going to hang a banner in (Rackers) Fieldhouse," Hebenheimer said.
Helias finished with a 20-4 edge in total shots.
Marshall is now 11-3.
With the win, the Crusaders likely wrapped up the No. 1 seed in the Class 3 District 13 Tournament later this month in Sedalia.
Helias (14-5) is back in action Monday against Kansas City East. The varsity-only game will start at 4 p.m.