Bruins start new streak

On Saturday, Columbia travels to Castle Rock for another rematch. The Bruins defused the Rockets easily in the first meeting, winning 6-0.

CHS took over sole possession of second place in division standings last week with 3-2 win at home against La Center on April 19. It backed that up with a 4-0 shutout of Woodland last Friday.

Knowles said beating La Center was important in that it broke a two-way tie for second place and gave the Bruins an advantage over the Wildcats entering the second half of division play.

"We're very happy being ahead of La Center instead of having to go there the last week of the season needing a win to tie," he said.

Goals by Demetrio Sanchez, Cheno Barajas and Sebastian Alvarez gave Columbia the edge over La Center.

Sanchez scored his team-leading eighth goal in the 21st minute of play--with an assist by Alvarez--to stake the Bruins to a 1-0 lead.

La Center came back to tie it in the 31st minute and that's how the first half ended.

But the Bruins seized the advantage again in the 48th minute when Barajas scored unassisted with a corkscrew shot from 20 yards away.

Alvarez converted a scoring pass from Samuel Lachino in the 62nd minute to make it 3-1. Alvarez, CHS's player of the match, finished with a team-high five shots; two of those were on goal.

The Wildcats, however, continued to pressure and closed within 3-2 in the 72nd minute. That scoring shot got the Bruins' attention.

Their defense, led by goalkeeper Juan Benavides, picked up its intensity to hold off the Wildcats, who tried three corner kicks in the closing minutes. Benavides had a hand in thwarting all three efforts.

Otherwise, La Center attempted just two shots on goal against Benavides, who had one save. Eleven of Columbia's 20 shots were on goal.

Seven players accounted for those 11 shots on goal--a statistic Knowles said indicates the Bruins are "playing a lot better as a team."

"Our defense is doing a good job of supporting our offense, and I think that makes us more dangerous. It's nice having that even spread on the shot chart," he added.

On the whole, Knowles said he was pleased with the outcome and thought CHS played very well against a troublesome opponent.

"To come out of it with the win and having had to fight for it at the end was a good feeling," he said.

At Columbia High 4, Woodland 0 --

Four players scored in the Bruins' victory over the Beavers.

Christian Rolly (10th minute) and Shanti Gosman (18th) netted goals in the first half and Columbia led, 2-0, at the intermission.

The Bruins doubled their halftime advantage in the second 40 minutes of action with scoring kicks by Sebastian Alvarez (45th) and Samuel Lachino (51st).

CHS finished with 15 shots, six on goal. Alvarez, Demetrio Sanchez and Whitney Butler each recorded an assist.

"It wasn't a perfect game, but I was happy with our defensive effort," Knowles said. "Going 80 minutes and allowing no goals is never easy."

CHS's coach pointed out that Woodland got only two shots on goal "because our defense broke down their attacks before they could form up."

Knowles cited Butler and Ian Zuck for their efforts in helping hold the Beavers scoreless. Because CHS only had 12 players available for the match, Butler and Zuck played every minute.

So did 10 others, including Rolly, CHS's player of the match.

Knowles said he selected Rolly, in part, because "he put on a lot of pressure and was very aware of his defensive responsibility."