Helias to host Glendale tonight in Class 3 sectional

Luke Hynes of Helias dribbles the ball during a game last month at the Crusader Athletic Complex.
Luke Hynes of Helias dribbles the ball during a game last month at the Crusader Athletic Complex.

The Helias Crusaders are ready to make another run in the Class 3 state soccer tournament.

Helias (8-15-1) is scheduled to host Glendale (12-11) in a sectional contest at 6 p.m. today at the Crusader Athletic Complex

It's the fifth time in the last seven years the Crusaders have advanced to state tournament play.

Last year, Helias defeated Harrisonville 4-3 in the sectional before falling 4-1 to Van Horn in the quarterfinals.

Helias advanced to tonight's game by winning the District 9 Tournament title at home last week with wins against Warrensburg (8-0) and Camdenton (6-1). Those wins snapped a five-game losing streak for the Crusaders, who have battled a variety of injuries for much of this year, to end the regular season.

The Crusaders are averaging 2.2 goals per game and giving up an average of 2.4.

Glendale, which won the District 10 championship with victories against Marshfield (3-0) and Lebanon (3-1), is totaling 2.8 goals per game while allowing 1.3.

The Falcons have won seven of their last nine contests.

This is the eighth straight trip to the state tournament for Glendale, which tied for third with Van Horn in Class 3 last season.

The Helias-Glendale winner will face either Willard (12-13) or Neosho (16-7) in the quarterifnals Saturday. The Willard-Neosho sectional has been moved to Wednesday.

With a win, Helias would host Willard or play at Neosho in the quarterfinals.