Junior midfielder Angelo Piech doesn’t have to look too far for competition.

He plays for Brother Rice, which features a daunting schedule. And then there’s always Anthony, a freshman forward for the Crusaders and his younger brother by two years.

Growing up in Lemont, their backyard battles were legendary.

“Even when we were younger, I would never let him beat me at anything — video games, even playing tackle football,” Angelo said. “That started my competitiveness.

“It’s just my mentality. I don’t like losing, whatever it is.”

Whatever it is for Piech? Well, it’s usually goals. He scored the winner Thursday in a 1-0 victory over Loyola, then scored twice Saturday in a 4-1 victory over Cristo Rey.

Piech, a captain whose leadership and intensity have governed his growth and development, has seven goals and five assists this season for Brother Rice (9-3-2, 3-1-1).

His brother, Anthony, has been his biggest advocate.

“It’s like he has two personalities on the field,” Anthony said. “He is pretty relaxed when he is not playing, but once he gets into competition mode, he doesn’t stop until he wins.”

At 5-foot-9, Angelo combines athleticism, creativity and superb vision. He has drawn recruiting interest from Loyola, Dayton, Saint Louis and seven other Division I programs.

“I like to play simple, but I am also a very explosive player,” Angelo said. “I distribute the ball very well and I can play under pressure with a high soccer IQ.

“I am very composed, but also everywhere I need to be. I’m here but also there.”

Piech was a precocious talent who started playing the game at age 3, marking his consciousness to such a degree the game is both his sanctuary and object of admiration.

“I have been playing for 13 years, and the game is just everything,” he said. “When it’s there, it just takes my mind off everything.

“I love being around my teammates, getting ready for games, especially if it’s a team we haven’t beaten in a couple of years.”

Brother Rice coach Matt Prunckle likens Piech to a maestro at organizing and directing the attack.

“Angelo has developed into a player who can dominate in the middle,” he said. “In possession, he really builds our rhythm. He can slot the final pass and be a threat off the dribble.

“He has a great sense of defending, and he knows when to press and when to stay compact. He has become a great tackler of the ball.”

Piech plays in the offseason with the Lockport Soccer Club. The near-constant activity has only amplified his personal love affair with the sport.

“When I do have time to relax, I try to keep my mind open and free, watching football or soccer,” he said.

Piech also has a natural curiosity about the way things work and an interest in learning.

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When he’s not playing soccer, he’s part of a political club at Brother Rice that examines policy and contemporary issues. Building leadership skills is his ideal goal.

“I’m a captain now and people are listening to me more,” he said. “The team looks up to me, and I am trying to gain respect for the team.”

The other players have witnessed what his brother has experienced since they were kids.

“We are constantly competing at video games, basketball, fantasy football,” Anthony said. “He is always pushing me to be my best and to go at him as hard as I can.”

In the end, Angelo said his game is about breaking through barriers.

“My drive is being the best player I can be,” he said. “My goal is to go pro, and the only thing stopping me is myself. Whether or not it happens, I am never going to let down on that.”

Patrick Z. McGavin is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.