Helias falls in state title game, takes second place in Class 2

FENTON, Mo. (KMIZ)

Helias Girls Soccer might have fell just one win short of clinching its first state championship in program history, but the Crusaders did match the program's best finish in the MSHSAA State Tournament on Saturday. Jon DeSha's team lost 3-1 to Notre Dame de Sion in the Class 2 State Title Game at World Wide Technology Soccer Park, ending its state tournament run in second place.

Saturday's game marked the Crusaders' first trip to the state championship game since the 2014 season and their first second place finish in the state tournament in more than a decade.

After Notre Dame de Sion took a 1-0 lead off a free kick from Mia Hebert at the 9-minute mark, Helias tied the game near halftime, courtesy of a 40-yard free kick from Liza Kemna. However, Notre Dame de Sion retook control of the game in the second half. Hebert's second goal of the afternoon put Notre Dame de Sion back in front 2-1 with a little more than 20 minutes left in the game, and about three minutes later, Ava Townsend added to that one-goal lead with another score.

Kemna finished 1-for-1 in shots-on-goal opportunities for the Crusaders, but as a team, Notre Dame de Sion outshot Helias 12-5. Eloise Lock also ended the afternoon with two saves.

The Crusaders end their 2024 campaign with a 15-10 overall record, posting 15 wins or more in a single season for just the fourth time in the last 10 years.