Prospect produces win over Mundelein

Prospect has started the season much the way its fans had expected: Solid, resilient, and tough to beat.

The Knights defeated visiting Mundelein 1-0 in a Saturday afternoon nonconference contest in Mt. Prospect to further strengthen their portfolio as the start of the Mid-Suburban League season nears.

Patryk Ruta, a four-year veteran for the Knights (4-0-1), struck the game-winner at 64 minutes, and his backline mates were air-tight in front of keeper Brad Reibel, who had a fairly easy day en route to posting a shutout.

“One of our concerns coming into the season was how our defense would respond, after losing just about everyone back there to graduation,” said Prospect coach Kurt Trenkle. “But Avi (Chitman), Matt (Wruskyj) and Conor O’Leary did a terrific job, and that’s something to be happy about, as well as our victory.”

The Knights begin league play at Elk Grove on Tuesday after having outscored their first five foes 15-3.

“Our (defense) did a great job for us today, and on the attacking side, we created and did some good things with and without the ball but we just weren’t able to finish,” admitted Ruta.

“We’ve been very good in training in that department, but maybe today we were trying to be a little too perfect in our passes. But I’m not worried about that part of the game, because we have the players who are able to get into the back of the net.”

For first-year Mundelein coach Ernie Billittier, the early stages have been a learning experience for all. But the former Mustangs star remains upbeat and optimisitic, despite his team’s struggles.

“We’ve had some very good performances, such as our victory earlier in the week against Carmel, then we came back and played a solid 40 minutes of soccer against Stevenson, then wilted in the second half,” said Billittier, who took over for long-time head coach Dave Ekstrom after her retired after last school year. “Our fitness still isn’t where it needs to be, and we’re a little banged up right now as well, but we’ll be fine once we get to know each other better, and get a little more comfortable with our system.”

Junior Alejandro Terrazas and Leo Rodriguez brought the Mustangs’ attack to life during the first quarter-hour of play, but when the visitors ventured into the Knights’ third, the club was ineffective.

“That’s kind of been the story of our team this year so far. We do a good job of building up and getting in our opponent’s half, but we just cannot create any quality chances and we’ve struggled to find a true goal-scorer,” Billittier said.

The Knights were less than inspiring with their attack in the first half, though they did generate nearly a dozen set-piece or dead-ball opportunities. Not a one ended on frame, though, and Mustangs keeper Jake Cigelnik had a relatively smooth day between the sticks for his club.

“I thought we were a little sloppy with the ball in that first half, but luckily, we came out and played much better after the break, especially during a 15-minute stretch when I thought we were in (their) end for most of the time,” said Trenkle.

After their subpar first half, the Knights exploded into life after intermission, with Ruta, Bill Cooney, Alex Schnef and Joe Ramos influencing the match with their energy and pace.

Cooney’s superb ball sent Ruta through along the right side, and once in on Cigelnik, the senior used a nice touch the other way to score the lone goal of the match at 64 minutes.

Down, but not out, the Mustangs (0-6-0) threw extra numbers forward, going with three strikers for the final quarter-hour.

A searing left-footed free-kick from 40 yards from junior Adam Navarette was ambitious, yet purposeful as it kept the home side wary of his strong leg. Just afterward, on the turn, Terrazas went over the bar from just outside the box.

After Navarette was helped off the pitch following an injury on a tackle at the far touchline, the Mustangs staged a frantic final few minutes of play but were unable to pierce the Knights’ back line.

“Those last couple of minutes were a little too scary for me, but we survived against a very competitive Mundelein team,” said Trenkle.