Columbus Lacrosse is just a day away from kicking-off its season opener, big things are expected of the Explorers. With a team that finished 15-4 and graduated only 3 seniors, Columbus is certainly going to be a force to reckon with. Last year, the lacrosse team was dominant in the district competition, going undefeated. However, they did seem to struggle outside of the district, falling to teams such as St. Andrews, St. Thomas Aquinas, and Jupiter High School. This year, the Explorers must start with confidence, because they will open against St. Thomas, the team that beat them in the Regional Semifinals.  The team will then go on to play teams such as Pine Crest (16-4) and Lake Forest (18-6), the state runner-up from Illinois. Columbus is definitely up for a challenge this year.  Teams such as Belen, Columbus’s rival, have been stepping up their game this season too.  They have lost only two starters, and gained two excellent new coaches, Alan Bellando and Brian Cost. The Wolverines are already showing some firepower as they defeated Cardinal Newman 8-5 and Miami Palmetto 12-5. The Explorers don’t seem too worried, though. With returning seniors, such as Steven Hernandez and Grant Nordlund on attack, who together combined for 81 goals and 61 assists last season, Michael Davide on net with a .714 save percentage, and Omar Shahbaz on defense, who is considered to be one of the best in the county, the Explorer’s are definitely going to be top contenders for post-season action. “We only graduated three seniors off last year’s squad and we feel like we have a lot of depth returning to compete,” Columbus coach James DeLang said. “We’re looking for one signature win this season to show we can move our program to the next level.” Look for the Explorers to take the first shot at that “next level” tomorrow against St. Thomas Aquinas.  Opening face-off is at 7:00pm at Christopher Columbus High School. The author is participating in our scholarship contest we are running in partnership with the Florida Scholastic Press Association.  More information on that contest can be found here.