Mundelein musters up impressive victory

Armando Gomez and Mason Homsey have been providing a 1-2 punch for Mundelein's boys soccer team.

Gomez plays the midfield, while Homsey attacks up front. Both seniors are dangerous when the ball is on the offensive side of the field.

Witness the Mustangs' 6-0 victory over host Vernon Hills in a North Suburban Conference crossover Tuesday night.

"You have to give credit to Mundelein," Vernon Hills coach Mike McCaulou said. "They're that much better than us right now in terms of physicality, speed of play and technical ability. We can't compete with that right now. We have to be better with some of our decisions. We're going through growing pains right now."

Gomez and Homsey have combined for 23 goals and 8 assists in helping Mundelein post an 8-3-3 record.

"You can tell that they have played together for a long time," Mundelein coach Ernie Billittier said. "It's really an unspoken bond. They know how to reach each other, and that goes for the this whole senior group. A lot of them have been playing together for so long that there's like unspoken communication with each other. They're really a passionate group that loves playing soccer. They have a work ethic, and their joy for the game is contagious."

Gomez had a couple of goals against Vernon Hills, and Homsey also scored. The two talents have played soccer together since the sixth grade.

"We just have some kind of connection," Homsey said. "He's a player that runs off the ball, and I'm a player that checks to the ball, turns and plays in. Armando (Gomez) is also a very dangerous player. I like to feed him, and he likes to feed me. We just have a good connection since we've been playing together for a long time. And it's getting stronger and stronger. We're really a good team. We're dangerous in the final third. That's our strong point."

Roman Tkachuk, Jake Fiolka and Jesus Alba also scored for Mundelein. Hector Ruiz had a couple of assists off corner kicks. Lino Garcia added a pair of assists, as well, while Yann Nsoga and Alba assisted on goals too.

"We have good chemistry on the field," said Gomez, who has 15 goals. "We practically know where each other is going to be before we get the ball. It's all a good thing out there."

Vernon Hills (6-6-1) played the match without four starters who were out because of injuries.

"It's been a tale of the season for us," McCaulou said. "We've been a little unlucky with injuries, but it's still no excuse. It gives other players a chance to step into roles maybe that they're not accustomed to. It gives them extra minutes and touches on the ball."