"The first part of the season could be a little rough as we try to find ourselves and what we can be as a team," Helias coach Jay Hebenheimer said as the Lady Crusaders get set to open the season today at Quincy (Ill.) Notre Dame.
Helias brings back starters all over the field and that group has led a great preseason for the Lady Crusaders.
"The energy, the effort and the attitude has been there," Hebenheimer said. "I couldn't ask for more from the girls."
A lot of that experience is on the defensive end. Grace Winegar, a junior, will start at right back, with seniors Olivia Farrow and Jennifer Szumigala starting at center backs. Morgan Yanskey, a junior, will start at left back.
That group will be important because Helias will be breaking in a new goalkeeper. Kaitlyn Buker, a sophomore returning starter, is out for at least the early portion of the season with an injury.
"I don't want her to return to until she's 100 percent ready," Hebenheimer said.
Alisha Berhorst or Emilee Nappier, both juniors, are bidding for the starting spot in goal.
"If one of them is playing that position well, they're going to stay in the starting spot even when Kaitlyn comes back," Hebenheimer said.
The Lady Crusaders like to use their outside backs in their offensive attack.
"They will get up more in the attack, but their first responsibility is defense," Hebenheimer said. "They have to know when to pick their moments."
Even with the inexperience in goal, Hebenheimer doesn't want the group to think they have to do more than in the past.
"They may feel a little more pressure, but I don't want them to feel like they have to do anything more than normal," he said. "I will be depending on them to communicate a little more with our inexperience in goal."
Maggie Winegar and Krystal Brauner, both seniors, will start as holding midfielders. Hannah Loethen, a junior, will start on the left wing, with senior Reese Hamilton getting the nod on the right side.
Isabelle Luebbert, a freshman, will start at center mid.
"She plays at a very high level," Hebenheimer said. "It's exciting to have a player like her in our program. The team has really embraced her and the chemistry is good."
Kaylee Sipi, a senior, will start up front at forward.
The potential is there for the Lady Crusaders to put some goals on the scoreboard.
"When we figure it out, I think we have the ability to score on a lot of teams," Hebenheimer said.
Among the key reserves for the Lady Crusaders will be senior Carolina Adam, juniors Lainy Lamb and Bailey Henson, and sophomore Savanah Feltrop.
Helias will be without senior Maya Heckart. The senior tore an ACL during the Blue and Gold Game and is out for the season.
"She's the heart of this team, she will remain a captain," Hebenheimer said. "She will be with us this season, it's a big loss."
Hebenheimer believes some of the younger Lady Crusaders could play roles toward the end of the season.
"It's a good freshman class that understands what we're trying to accomplish," he said. "They could step up on the varsity if we absolutely need them with injuries or later in the season."
Today's varsity-only contest will start at 11 a.m. in Quincy.
"I fully expect this to be a tough opener," Hebenheimer said.
Looking down the road, the postseason has a different look for the Lady Crusaders. Instead of going west, Helias is now in a district with Hannibal, Warrenton and Wentzville: Liberty.
"It's a little tougher district than we've had, but I think the road after that may be a little bit easier," Hebenheimer said.
Wentzville: Liberty is the host school.