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Boys soccer: Adiyiah, Mundelein pull together against Taft

Kenny Adiyiah, who had a couple of assists for Mundelein's boys soccer team on Wednesday afternoon, is putting a world of soccer experience to use this fall.

Adiyiah started playing at the age of 3 - in Ghana.

He moved into the Mundelein area when he was 12 and entering sixth grade. Now a junior, he helped Mundelein to a 4-1 victory over Taft in the opener of the Titan Invitational at Glenbrook South.

"Sometimes I play, I know, the style of play from there to here is very different," Adiyiah said. "I use that to my advantage and play as hard as I can. I think we are all the same."

Adiyiah is among the core of players Mundelein (2-0) welcomes back from a successful run last year. Naturally, the Mustangs are looking for good things this fall.

"I think there's something special, because we've been playing (together) for a while," Adiyiah said. "Some of these guys have been playing since we got into high school. I think we can make it far - we need to trust each other."

Adiyiah assisted on the first two Mustangs goals Wednesday. He sent a low rolling pass from the right side of the penalty area to the middle, which Ricky Guzman tapped in for a 1-0 lead in the 29th minute.

Taft (2-1-1) tied the match up a couple minutes into the 35-minute second half off an Ethan Butler free kick. Kaeper Siewak set the ball down and placed it under the crossbar.

Adiyiah set up the game-winner in the 41st minute with a pass to Josue Infante, who laced a shot just under the crossbar for a 2-1 Mundelein lead.

The Mustangs struck again less than a minute later, as Nick Ramirez led Joey Lucio with a pass on a breakways to make it 3-1.

Mundelein added its third goal in a six-minute span when Jose Ortega scored on a free kick into the top right corner.

The Mustangs were playing their first game in a nine-day span following its opening-day victory over Crystal Lake South. Two scheduled game were not played due to weather.

"I was a bit concerned to have all those days for training with two games moved," Mundelein coach Ernie Billittier said. "I was a little interested to see how we would respond as a team. Overall, we've got some work to do. But it was a good result for our guys.

"I do believe our team is capable to score in bunches like that. (Taft) was a difficult team to play against and they were very aggressive. They played direct and were very physical. It was a fun game to see our guys challenged like that. Not happy to see us concede a goal - but happy with the response."

Taft tried to make a challenge for Mundelein in the opener. The Mustangs were ready for the Eagles' push in the second half and showed it in their resolve.

"Mundelein was better than us," Taft coach Jeffery Lucco said. "(Mundelein) was faster to the ball, they worked harder and they reacted when they were scored on."

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