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By ANDREW SIMONSON | Sports Editor

HELENA – After earning a pair of strong results on the road against the Bessemer City Purple Tigers just two-and-a-half weeks prior, the Helena Huskies took care of business on their home turf to finish off the season-series sweep.

Helena’s varsity boys soccer team defeated Bessemer City 7-0 on Thursday, March 20 at Helena High School after the girls won 13-0 in their matchup.

As a result, both teams moved to 3-0 in area play as they seek to secure the Class 6A, Area 7 championship and advance to the postseason.

After a nervy 3-1 win over the Purple Tigers in their earlier meeting, Helena’s boys left no doubt in the reverse fixture as they took an early lead and built on it throughout the match while leaving Bessemer City scoreless this time out.

Austin Lewis opened up the scoring in the sixth minute after he took a pass from Agustin Rodriguez and fired it home for the 1-0 lead.

The Huskies doubled up their advantage in the 24th minute when David Diaz spotted Darieon Collins, who finished off the goal and put the hosts up 2-0.

Helena struck once more to finish off the first half as Carson Washer found Jamie Arceo to give the Huskies a 3-0 halftime lead.

Collins went right to work to start the second half. Austin Lewis sent a cross his way in the 53rd minute, and Collins’ head connected to secure his brace with his second goal of the night and Helena’s fourth.

Eight minutes later, the Huskies got a big chance with a corner kick. As Arceo stepped to take it, Luke Sims got on the other end of the cross to score and make the lead 5-0.

Helena scored once again in the 71st minute when Ryan Borden found Greg Diaz for the third goal of the half and the Huskies’ sixth of the match.

Ares Cordero then finished off the 7-0 victory by becoming the sixth different goal scorer in the area win.

As for the girls, they overwhelmed a winless Bessemer City team and made short work of their opposition. The Huskies scored 13 goals in the opening 40 minutes of the match as they took advantage of relentless offensive pressure and frequent chances.

That let Helena trigger the mercy rule at the halftime break and sweep the season series.

The boys improved to 6-6-1 with the win and the girls are now 6-6-2 entering spring break.

The Huskies will return to action after the week off when they host the Ramsay Rams on Tuesday, April 1 at Helena High School. The girls will kick off at 5:30 p.m. ahead of the boys game at 7 p.m.