Cardinals Advance to Final Four

The Prospect Height Campus boys soccer team is now . 

On a windy Monday afternoon the Cardinals dominated the Campus Magnet Bulldogs and recorded a 4-2 victory to advance to the final four of the PSAL B playoffs. The Cardinals matchup against Campus Magnet was and for .

"We just put the muzzle on [the Bulldogs] and put them back in the kennel," said Co-head Coach Hayden Grant.

The muzzle was on display in the first half as Prospect Heights struck early after dodging two failed shots on goal by the Bulldogs. Carl Anderson, who has recorded at least one goal in each playoff game, scored the first goal of the match to put the Cardinals on top. 

"We usually wake up after the first goal," stated Grant. 

After a sluggish start the Prospect Heights attack awoke and punished Campus Magnet for their mistakes. Jerry Gaston scored a beautiful goal midway through the first half and Prospect Heights was in control.

Later in the half the Cardinals dominated the ball in Bulldogs territory. Fernando Escalona assisted Anderson for the second time in the match as the seniors hooked up for the third goal of the game. 

With the Cardinals holding a three-goal advantage, Escalona joined the scoring act with five minutes left in the half to give his team a commanding 4-0 lead. With the Bulldogs frustrated, Prospect Heights took that lead into halftime.

In the second half, Campus Magnet stepped up the defensive intensity as they brought their defense up to midfield. The Bulldogs dominated the ball for the majority of the half and limited the Cardinals to one shot-attempt on goal.  Campus Magnet scored two goals late in the half but the Prospect Heights defense was resilient as they held on for the victory over the top seed in their bracket.

"I am very happy that we won," said Anderson. "This is my last year at Prospect Heights and my only year playing for the school and it means a lot to me.  I really want to raise the trophy."

If the Cardinals record another two playoff victories they will be the PSAL B city champions.  Next up for Prospect Heights is semi-final matchup with the Hunter College High School Hawks on Thursday at Randall's Island Field.