The Helias Lady Crusaders got almost everything they wanted out of their soccer season opener.
What was missing was a victory.
“I couldn’t ask for anything more, except maybe a win,” Helias coach Jon DeSha said after Wednesday’s 1-0 loss in double overtime to Quincy (Ill.) Notre Dame at the Crusader Athletic Complex. “The girls played above my expectations, the performance was one that represented a team from starters to subs.
“Everybody contributed and that’s all I can ask.”
It was DeSha’s debut as coach of the Lady Crusaders and it came against a Quincy Notre Dame team that returned nearly everyone from a state title team last spring.
The Lady Crusaders displayed an attacking style from the start. Helias finished with a 10-6 edge in total shots in the first 40 minutes, with five of the Lady Crusaders’ shots on goal.
“It was a great example of free-flowing, attacking soccer from front to back,” DeSha said. “In the back, we defended well. We did a great job on offense, we just didn’t score.”
The paces slowed a bit in the second half, which was played a lot in the middle third of the field. Both teams had four shots on goal in the half, but none were able to find the back of the net.
“You could see a fitness drop for both teams.” DeSha said. “We still managed, we found some extra energy late in the game.”
The first 10-minute overtime period was scoreless, with Quincy Notre Dame picking up the only two shots on goal.
The second overtime lasted less than a minute.
Quincy Notre Dame got the ball first and worked its way into the Helias end. Sage Stratton lined a shot Helias keeper Abbi Tesreau was able to deflect off the crossbar. The ensuing rebound found the foot of Lia Quintero, who knocked it in for the win a little more than 30 seconds into the second overtime.
It was a strong defensive effort for 90-plus minutes for a young group of Helias defensive players.
“They showed they can play with anybody,” DeSha said. “They defended well, they connected with passes, they joined into the attack.”
The game provided a good building block to start the season.
“It shows us we can compete, it shows us we’re versatile, it shows we can make changes on the fly and that the girls have an undying competitive spirit,” DeSha said. “It speaks to the culture the school has grown, hard work, they know how to grind.”
Quincy Notre Dame improves to 4-0 on the season.
Helias (0-1) will play this weekend at the Jackson Showcase. The Lady Crusaders will take on Kickapoo at 6:45 p.m. Friday and Jackson at 11:15 a.m. Saturday.
“Those are both very good programs we’re going to play,” DeSha said.
There was no JV game Wednesday.