The Helias Lady Crusaders' backs weren't quite against the wall. But they wouldn't have needed to reach very far to find that wall.
The Camdenton Lady Lakers took advantage of a defensive miscue in the first half Wednesday night to take a 1-0 lead at halftime in the Class 3 District 13 title game at the 179 Soccer Park.
With the win or go home pressure of the district tournament, the Lady Crusaders needed something big to happen in the second half. And the quicker the better.
Helias tied the game just 1:11 into the second half, then got the eventual game-winner with a little more than 17 minutes to play in a 2-1 victory against Camdenton.
"It's hard to win a district championship," Helias coach Brad Dempsey said. "The game never goes the way you want it to go, you just have to throw everything out the window."
With the win, Helias (12-10) will host the District 14 champion in the sectional round next Tuesday. Notre Dame de Sion and Harrisonville will play Friday for that district title.
Very early in the second half, Camdenton was whistled for a foul and Helias was awarded a free kick. Olivia Farrow then lined the kick off the far post and into the net to tie the contest at 1.
"As time comes off the clock, it can get harder and harder and harder and harder to score," Dempsey said. "The fact that it came early in the half, it really took a lot of pressure off and allowed just to play."
Farrow's strike of the ball was impressive.
"Olivia has that natural ability to do things like that," Dempsey said.
With the game tied, the Lady Crusaders then set about trying to get the lead.
The game-winner came with 17:23 remaining when Sarah Pierle scored off an assist by Grace Winegar.
"That was quite a finish," Dempsey said.
Pierle had to leave the game earlier in the half with an injured back.
"Sarah has battled pressure and overcome so much and for her to get the game-winner is just great," Dempsey said. "She has been taking at people lately and has really taken a big step forward as a player."
The goal came a few minutes after Camdenton (13-21) had a shot carom off the cross bar.
"Camdenton played us tough," Dempsey said. "They deserve all the credit, they played at a very high level."
The Lady Lakers got on the board just more than 11 minutes into the game when Aeryn Kennedy scored into an empty net.
That was one of only two shots on goal in the game for Camdenton.
"The schedule we play, the things we go through during the season pay off in games like this," Dempsey said. "It was a gritty win."
Helias and Notre Dame de Sion met in the sectional round last season in Kansas City, with the Storm topping the Lady Crusaders 3-0. Notre Dame de Sion went on to claim the Class 3 state title for the second straight season.
III
Editor's Note: In Tuesday's story about Helias' semifinal victory, a goal scorer was misidentified.
Hannah Loethen scored Helias' final goal in the 11-1 victory against Marshall. It was her third goal of the night.
Also, Alisha Berhorst was in goal in the second half for the Lady Crusaders.