Early surge sends Helias past Mexico

Up 3-0 less than 15 minutes into the game Thursday night, the Helias Crusaders could have put it on cruise control.

They didn't. The Mexico Bulldogs wouldn't let them.

"They did not stop playing," Helias coach Michael Metzger said after the Crusaders topped the Bulldogs 6-1 at the 179 Soccer Park. "They kept coming after us, for the entire game really."

There's little doubt the Crusaders had the better of play. Helias had the ball in its offensive end for much of the contest, outshooting Mexico 28-3. But the Bulldogs (3-10), who have now lost nine straight games, continued to push.

"They deserve credit for playing to the end," Metzger said.

The winner was decided by the scoring flurry in those opening minutes.

Logan Pfenenger got Helias on the board a little more than 12 minutes into the contest. Less than a minute later, Nick Brandt's shot slipped through the hands of the Mexico keeper to double Helias' lead. Kaleb Wilson made it 3-0 less than two minutes later, assisted by Sam Ferrier.

"There was a span where we looked really, really solid," Metzger said.

That was the score at the half. Helias had two shots bounce off the post and another go off the crossbar in the opening 40 minutes.

"We just couldn't find that last piece to get another goal," Metzger said.

Mexico got on the board midway through the first half on a goal by Miguel Vega.

"I think that one got them going for the rest of the game," Metzger said.

The Crusaders matched their first-half output with three goals in the final 40 minutes.

Brandt scored the first two - the first 11 minutes into the half, the second nine minutes later - to finish with a hat trick Thursday night. Brandt has been battling a bit of an ankle injury.

"He's starting to get past the injury and get things going," Metzger said. "His confidence should be high right now. To have him playing at that level is a big boost for the team because he is one of our leaders."

Both goals were assisted by Arris Pardalos.

Wilson got the final goal with about 15 minutes remaining as Pfenenger was credited with the assist.

"We came out and played really well in the last 40 minutes," Metzger said. "We moved the ball well, we defended well. All in all, it was a good second half."

Helias (10-6) will play Saturday afternoon at Hannibal before facing Jefferson City on Monday night.

In Thursday's JV game, Helias was a 9-0 winner against Mexico. Jacob Ceglenski had two goals for the Crusaders. Single goals were score by Christian Cepeda, Carson Mudd, Jacob Andrews, Wilson, Brice Bond, Zach Paschal and Jacob Frank.

Paschal had two assists. Cepeda, Jack Hoey, Wilson and Luke Mertens all had one.

Jonathan Garner and Ben Rehagen shared time in goal in the shutout for the Crusaders (9-3).