Adjei Leads Soccer Ooks to Positive Start

September 17, 2009

Joe Adjei's four goals were a telling factor during the weekend as the NAIT Ooks collected three of a possible four points from the Grande Prairie Wolves on the opening weekend of ACAC soccer.

The men's teams shared a 3-3 tie in the first game and NAIT took control of the second game for a solid 5-2 victory.

Adjei, Thiago Silva, Michael McCormick and Michael dominated the midfield in the opener. Despite a large edge in ball possession, the Ooks held only a one-goal lead at the half.

After the break, Grande Prairie showed an impressive defensive effort. After Matt Hall launched a header to tie the match 3-3, solid play by Wolves 'keeper Adam Giebelhaus let Grande Prairie away with a tie.

The other Wolves goals were scored by Irvin Hernandez and Kyle German.

Adjei had two goals for the Ooks. McCormick added the other.

In the second half of the weekend doubleheader, Grande Prairie jumped into an early lead on Drew Boeckx's tally but NAIT struck back quickly to create a tie that lasted until halftime.

It took a three-goal outburst within a 14-minute span in the second half before NAIT could put the game away.

Adjei scored twice, with one coming in a penalty kick that created a brief 2-1 lead for the Ooks. Other scorers were Michael Michielin, James Carr and Boag, a resident of Glasgow, Scotland, who joined the team shortly before the start of the season.

After Adjei collected his third and fourth goals of the weekend, Grande Prairie coach Chris Spaidal said "he looked like he was playing at a different level than anyone else."