ROCHESTER HILLS — The Rochester Adams Highlanders defeated the Avondale Yellow Jackets, 3-0, on Thursday night at Highlander Field in a boys soccer game.

The Highlanders and Yellow Jackets played a spirited contest that was closer than the final score would appear.

Play largely went back and forth as both teams worked hard and had their chances.

Adams scored quickly, when Dylan Knott pounced on a rebound in the box to make it 1-0 just 7:30 into the contest.

“We played hard,” Avondale coach Dave Muczynski said. “But we have a bad habit of giving up early goals.”

Adams would make it 2-0 later in the first half when James Davis headed down a corner kick and Joey Dillon fired home the loose ball. George Patsarikas would close out the scoring for the Highlanders with a second half goal that put the game firmly out of reach.

While Adams controlled the ball more, Avondale would continue to fight hard. The Yellow Jacket attack, led by Johnny Nofs and Dylan Kennedy, would generate their share of chances. But the Adams defense, led by Alex Czirmer, was able to consistently turn Avondale away at the crucial juncture.

Adams coach Josh Hickey was pleased with his team.

“I thought they played well and consistently,” he said. “It was a consistent effort all around.”

This was a friendly rivalry tonight , and both coaches had good things to say about their opponents after the game as well.

“Josh (Hickey) is one of the better young coaches out there,” Muczinski said. “They(Adams) played disciplined and moved the ball well. They had a game plan and stuck to it.”

Hickey was also complimentary of the effort Avondale put forth.

“I thought they(Avondale) came out hard and we had to weather that physical - in a good way- mentality that they brought,” he said.

The win improves the Highlanders’ record to 9-3-2 overall and 7-2-1 in Oakland Activities Association Red. The Highlanders travel to Romeo on Saturday for a non-conference game before returning to league action on Tuesday with a trip to Royal Oak to take on the Ravens. Avondale drops to 5-9-2 overall and 2-7-1 in OAA Red. The Yellow Jackets close out OAA Red play on Tuesday as well when they host Troy Athens on Cancer Awareness Day. On Tuesday, Avondale will wear pink uniforms for breast cancer awareness while Athens will wear gold to represent awareness of youth cancer as the teams try to raise money for charity.