Cardinals Take First Step Towards City Title

The Prospect Height Campus boys soccer team has spent the entire regular season talking about how much it would mean to win a city title.  On Saturday, the Cardinals took their first major step towards reaching their goal.

Behind an amazing performance from Fernando Escalona, Prospect Heights recorded an opening round playoff victory with a 6-3 win over the High School of Art and Design. With two goals and three assists, Escalona was instrumental from the kickoff, touching five of the six goals the Cardinals scored.

The Prospect Heights senior assisted on the first goal of the game, scored by Jamie Avila. He also recorded an assist on Carl Anderson's early goal. The quick strikes proved important as the Cardinals would struggle for the remainder of the half

"It was a very important [to score early] because it was the first game of the playoffs," said Avila. "The only thing we had to that matter was win the game and to be the best team in Brooklyn."

The Cardinals hardly looked like their dominant selves as they missed numerous point blank scoring opportunities throughout the first half.  Midway through the period the Bulldogs cut the lead in half with a left-footed strike by Oshane Miller. 

However, Escalona gave his team the boost that they needed when, moments later, he netted his first goal of the game with a powerful strike from the left side of the field. Escalona then recorded his third assist of the game as he setup Carl Anderson for the second time, sending Prospect Heights into the half with a 4-1 lead.

"I think we were a little off-kilter in the first half but Carl really helped us by scoring two goals," said co-head coach Albert Berger.

In the second half, the Bulldogs quickly cut into the lead after scoring on a penalty kick. But once again, Escalona responded immediately, scoring from 28-yards with a shot he placed perfectly over the goalie's head. His second goal of the match put Prospect Heights in cruise control as they led 5-3.

Although the Cardinals held on for the victory, the coaching staff was not impressed with their play in the first half. 

"We won but this was not one of our better games," co-coach Hayden Grant said.  "We must improve on our defense and communication.  Guys were standing and waiting for the ball, but you can't assume and you have to go and get the ball."

Escalona was not one of the players standing around. He was active throughout the entire game, even when the victory was in hand.

Although the team's most talented player was proud of his play, he and his teammates are still not satisfied with what they have achieved.

"We won the battle but we have not won the war," he said.  "We have to keep going, keep working, keep practicing and try to win the next game."

Prospect Heights will look to continue their winning ways when they play the winner of the game between School of the Future and Transit Tech Career and Technical Education High School on Wednesday afternoon at Old Boys High Field.