Helias ends Owls' turnaround season

MOBERLY -- Sixth-ranked Helias enjoyed an Obama-like landslide over the Marshall boys' soccer team on Election Day.

The Jefferson City squad was the only opponent to score as many as four goals on the Owls during the regular season, and did it again Tuesday with a 4-2 victory in the semifinal round of the Class 2, District 7 Tournament at Moberly.

"We knew what we were going to face," remarked Marshall head coach Josh Posegate, "a very, very tough team."

Two goals only a minute apart midway through the second half were decisive for the Crusaders, who will meet No. 4 Moberly -- which survived a 3-2 overtime clash with Warrensburg -- in Friday's championship match.

Helias shocked the Owls early in the match, junior Michael Schulte stepping around a defender in the box for a blast into the lower right corner of the net.

"When we got down early, I didn't know how we'd respond to that," Posegate said. "We came back and made it a good game."

Marshall squared the score 15 minutes later, with senior Chris McCoy turning the right corner and centering to junior Alex Tapia for a one-touch drive inside the right goal post from 10 yards out.

The Crusaders threatened to take the lead three more times before the break. A 20-yard shot by sophomore Jereme Sebastien was deflected, but senior goalkeeper Steve Skogsberg adjusted to make the diving save.

Senior Kevin Miller, who assisted Helias' first goal, sent a crossing pass through the crease -- only no teammates could get to it and sophomore José Reyes was able to clear. Skogsberg also stopped a Schulte header after junior Ryan Neeley worked the ball to the middle.

The deadlock was broken 15 minutes into the second half when the Crusaders unloaded three shots in a matter of seconds, Skogsberg knocking away the first two before senior Forrest McCarran -- whose run up the left side began the flurry -- knocked the ball in.

In the next minute, Miller's long free kick was headed over Skogsberg by Neeley, who was unmarked in the crease.

"You can't give them too much space," Posegate said, "especially when they're a foot taller than almost anyone defending them."

Down 3-1, the Owls got back into contention when McCoy caught up to Reyes' "through" ball behind the Helias defense, drew senior 'keeper Jorden Bax out and then cross-fired a shot into the far side for his 39th goal of the season.

However, the Crusaders got an insurance goal with 13 minutes remaining. Junior Conor Dermody reversed direction on a corner kick with his head and senior Caleb Boeckman pushed the ball into the open right side of the goal.

Marshall would only get one more crack at scoring, but it was on a 40-yard free kick by sophomore Jon Najera sent straight at Bax in the final minute.

Helias (21-2-1) held a 17-11 shot advantage during the match, including a 12-6 gap in on-target attacks.

Despite the loss, the Owls (18-7) had a turnaround campaign, nearly cracking the top 10 in the state rankings after five years completely off the charts -- improving significantly from last season's 10-14 mark.

"It's been pretty amazing," declared Posegate, who had similar success last spring with Marshall's girls' club. With seven underclassmen in Tuesday's rotation -- including Tapia and Najera, who combined for 36 goals -- the Owls' prospects are promising. "We had a lot of young guys step up. We have a good core coming back."