Columbus Catholic (16-4) has once again earned a place in the Sweet 16 by defeating Miami Palmetto 12-7 in regional playoff action. If you weren’t able to see this game, you missed a classic. Superb offense, defense and goaltending were all on display by both teams in this contest. Miami Palmetto (8-4) drew first blood on the strength of a Peter Lowell goal three minutes into the game. Michael Bulnes (Goucher) wasted no time evening things up for the Explorers, off an assist from Alec Carreras, with a beautiful shot from 18 yards out stick side high. Twelve seconds later, Bulnes found a wide open Sebi Cancio ten yards out at the left side of the crease. Cancio rifled a shot past Palmetto’s goalie Thomas Santos for a 2-1 advantage. Bulnes, who has scored over 100 points on the season, would figure into the Explorers’ next goal as well, assisting on a back door cut goal by Senior Alec Carreras. Man down at the time, Palmetto simply could not contend with Carreras’ quickness, leading to a 3-2 advantage. Thirty seconds later, Bulnes would yet again victimize Palmetto, putting the Explorers up 4-2 to close the first quarter. Excellent defense by both squads slowed down the second quarter scoring, resulting in a 1-1 draw on the strength of another Sebi Cancio goal, assisted by Nicky Quintairos. The Explorers’ defense was led as always by the heady, aggressive play of Seniors Brett Jacobs, Zach Garcia, LSM Matt Larrea and Junior Alec Cancio. The Explorer defense paved the way to another excellent performance in goal by Junior Jon Nickas, who finished the night with 12 saves. On the strength of the defense’s excellent play, Nickas has saved 60% of the shots attempted this season against the Explorers. Notably, Palmetto’s most dominant scorer, Dylan Silverman, was held without a point in the game. Sebi Cancio recorded his third goal of the contest in the 3rd quarter for the Explorers on what most would have to describe as the goal of the night. Cancio took possession following the face off win and raced untouched towards the goal. After throwing a fake that froze the defense, Cancio moved to 12 yards out and launched a laser off stick low to increase the Explorer lead at the time to 6-3. Palmetto would cut that lead to 6-5 late in the 3rd quarter on goals by Lowell and Alex Miranda. Both led Palmetto in scoring with 3 goals each. As Panther fans got excited, the Explorers became even more focused and rattled off four goals in the first seven minutes of the fourth quarter to extend their lead to an insurmountable margin. The fourth quarter scoring onslaught was significant as the Panthers had not allowed any team to score more than seven goals against them all season. Tyler Volovar, coming off an injury that kept him out for an extended period last year and who missed the entire off season recovering from his injury, started things off less than a minute into the 4th quarter. Moments later, Junior Attackman Nick Quesada reeled in a pass from Bulnes in traffic, dodged his defender and perfectly placed an off stick bounce shot to extend the lead to 8-5. After Palmetto cut the lead to 8-6, Senior Attackman Alec Carreras scored not one but two goals within 14 seconds to put the game virtually out of reach at 10-6. Seniors Nicky Quintairos and Michael Bulnes would close out the scoring for the Explorers in the 4th following the Panthers lone 4th quarter goal (Alex Miranda)with the Explorers down 2 men. The Explorers’ scoring and time of possession was facilitated by oustanding midfield play, particularly at the x by face off specialists Jimmy and Mikey Perry and Nick Quintairos. Senior Jimmy Perry has been dominant all season, winning 79% of his face offs. With the win, Columbus advances to face St. Thomas Aquinas at Brian Piccolo Field. Game time is 8:00. COLUMBUS: Michael Bulnes 3 goals, 3 assists. Alec Carreras 3 goals, 3 assists. Sebi Cancio 3 goals. Nicky Quintairos 1 goal, 1 assist. Nick Quesada 1 goal, 1 assist. Tyler Volovar 1 goal. Jimmy Perry 11 of 14 face offs. Nicky Quintairos 2 of 4 face offs. Mike Perry 1 of 4 face offs. Jon Nickas 12 saves. PALMETTO – Peter Lowell 3 goals, 1 assist. Alex Miranda 3 goals. T. David 1 goal. Thomas Santos 11 saves.