SAN JOSE - Sophomore Josue Mejia had two goals and an assist to lift host Prospect to a key 4-1 victory over Branham in a BVAL-Mount Hamilton boys soccer match Monday afternoon.
With the victory, Prospect (9-3-1, 5-1-1 BVAL-MH), moved ahead of Branham (7-2-4, 4-1-2) for first place at the halfway point of the league season.
"It's always a tough, entertaining game when these two schools play in part because there's a lot of respect between the two programs," said Prospect coach Frank Medina.
The first half was a defensive struggle as the teams combined for just six shots overall. Prospect broke through in the 23rd minute when a deflected shot landed at the feet of Mejia inside the penalty area. He slotted the ball across the box to junior Josh Frahm, who slammed the ball into the roof of the net from near the penalty spot to make it 1-0.
The Bruins had a great chance to tie late in the half when a header by senior Angel Avalos off a set piece from senior goalkeeper Tanner Lanphear was cleared off the line by a Prospect defender just inches off the goal line.
Branham came out strong at the start of the second half and nearly tied it on a diving header by Avalos off another free kick from Lanphear. But goalkeeper Jordi van Gastel made a diving save.
Just a few minutes later, Prospect extended the lead on a brilliant first-time volley by Mejia off a cross-field pass from senior Marc Raffaeli in the 67th minute.
The Panthers had an earlier chance to extend their lead but Branham goalkeeper Chris Sagahon made a great save to deny senior Ariel Mbumba on a breakaway.
Branham pulled a goal back in the 76th minute. After a foul against a Prospect defender, Branham forward Jaeson Gonzalez alertly took the free kick quickly and played the ball to Avalos, who weaved through the Prospect defense and shot into the lower right corner to make it 2-1.
However, just a couple minutes later, Prospect effectively iced the match when senior Francisco Negrete stole a back pass and scored to make it 3-1 in the 78th minute. Mejia tacked on the final goal a minute or so later when he volleyed in a rebound off a shot by Negrete.
"Both teams created chances and it was a game befitting a battle for first place," said Branham coach Danny Kadah. "They obviously did a better job finishing than we did."
Both teams begin the second half of the season Wednesday. Prospect travels to Pioneer (7 pm), while Branham visits Overfelt (6 pm).
