Cardinals' Season Comes to an End

in the history of Prospect Heights Campus boys soccer ended Thursday at Randall's Island Field, as Hunter College High School eliminated the Cardinals with a 2-0 victory in the semifinals of the PSAL B playoffs. 

and the first time they did not score a goal in a match in 2010.

"We fell short," said co-head coach Albert Berger. "[Hunter] played great defense, were well prepared with set plays and are in good shape."

Prospect Heights hung tough with the Hawks for the majority of the game.  However, the Cardinals, who only had seven shots on goal, could not cash in on scoring opportunities. In the first half Prospect Height missed open shots and failed to make passes to teammates streaking towards the goal.

Despite their first half failures the Cardinals defense was solid. Headed into halftime they were deadlocked with the Hawks in a scoreless tie.

With ten minutes to go in the second half the game changed. The Hawks scored their first goal halfway through the second half.  A few minutes later they recorded their second goal of the game to break the Cardinals spirit. 

"After the first goal we believed we could tie it up," Berger said. "But once we were two goals down reality began to set in.  We played hard until the end but the second goal really hurt."

Prospect Heights was unable to rally and suffered a tough loss after being one victory away from the championship game.  The Cardinals two senior stars Jamie Avila and Fernando Escalona played valiantly through leg injuries but the team was shorthanded due to three players unable to play because of personal matters. 

Following the match many of the players were upset,  believed that the game's location favored their opponents. Soccer playoff games are supposed to be held on a neutral field but Randall's Island Field serves as the home field for the Hawks.

Berger said that, when he spoke with the PSAL commissioner, he was told that semifinal and championship games had been played on Randall's Island field in the past. The Cardinals coach was also skeptical as to whether the field and goals were regulation size.

"I don't want to be a crybaby but I don't believe they were a better team than us.  " stated Berger. "They had the home field advantage."

After the loss, Berger thanked his seniors for helping make 2010 the best season in school history.

"We had our chance and didn't quite make it," said Berger. "It's a long season and we fell short. We are going to be competitive next season. We are losing two of the best players in the city but we will compete."

Although seniors Avila and Escalona will surely be missed, the Cardinals have plenty of young talent on their roster, ready to contribute in 2011. But after being so close to winning a city title this season, 2011 seems far away.