Above – Colmbus’ Alec Carreras scored four goals and two assists against Pine Crest

Columbus Catholic defeated Pine Crest 18-12 in a slugfest Monday night at Columbus, raising its record to 8-1. Senior Attackman Michael Bulnes was simply dominant for the Explorers. Despite fighting through double teams all night, he scored 7 goals. Bulnes, who scored the game’s first 5 goals for the Explorers, added 3 assists. One of those assists came on a beautiful no look, behind the back flip to Junior Nick Quesada. Quesada’s ensuing fake off the pass from Bulnes left Pine Crest Goalie Patrick Haley hopelessly out of position, allowing Quesada to slam it home. With the score 9-7 at the end of the 3rd quarter, Columbus Catholic Senior Attackman Alec Carreras, the Explorers’ second leading scorer on the season behind Bulnes, took over. Carreras scored all 4 of his goals in a tense 4th quarter for the Explorers. He added 2 assists. Columbus scored 9 goals in the 4th quarter as they pulled away from a determined Panthers squad. Columbus also received scoring contributions on the night from Cody Brais, Sebi Cancio, Danny Rancano, Mike

Perry and Alec “Cachi” Gonzalez. The Explorers’ defensive effort was key to this hard fought victory. Starters Zach Garcia, Alec Cancio, Brett Jacobs, and LSM Matt Larrea were relentless, repeatedly shutting down the Panthers’ shooting lanes and altering shots. Junior Goalie Jon Nickas, a beneficiary of his defense’s aggressive play, was stellar between the pipes for the Explorers, recording 19 saves. Pine Crest, whose record dropped to 7-2, was paced by Sophomore David Tescher. Tescher was seemingly everywhere on the field and served as a catalyst for the Panthers. He contributed 2 goals and 4 assists. Freshman Chris Dunne, 4 goals and 1 assist, was likewise impressive at attack for the Panthers. Goalie Patrick Haley had 9 saves. COLUMBUS – Bulnes 7 goals, 3 assists; Carreras 4 goals, 2 assists; Brais 2 goals; S. Cancio 2 goals; Rancano 1 goal, 2 assists; A. Gonzalez 1 goal,1 assist; and M. Perry 1 goal. Nickas 19 saves. PINE CREST – Tescher 2 goals, 4 assists; Dunne 4 goals, 1 assist; Z. Smith 4 goals; Shamon 1 goal; and Deerman 1 goal. Haley 9 saves. 1st pic Michael Bulnes (#18); 2nd pic Alec Carreras (#9); 3rd pic Senior Defenseman Zach Garcia (#2); 4th pic Jr. Goalie Jon Nickas