WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Catholic Cardinals jumped out to a 34-8 lead versus Merchant Marine on Saturday afternoon before holding onto a 41-33 victory to remain unbeaten in NEWMAC play.

Senior quarterback Nico Casares improves to 4-0 as a starter, throwing for 349 yards and five scores. Casares threw three first-half touchdowns, all finding different receivers as the Cardinals took a 27-8 lead into the break.

Catholic scored on its first four possessions of the contest, jumping ahead 24-0.

On the opening drive, Catholic moved to the Merchant Marine 29-yard line after a pass interference penalty against the Mariners. On the next play, Casares found senior Preston Jeffrey, who made a juggling catch in the end zone to put the Cardinals on the board.

After forcing a punt, Catholic once again reaped the benefit of a Mariner penalty, this time roughing the passer. On third-and-six from the USMMA 48-yard line, Casares found sophomore John Maynes for 23 yards. On the next play, the duo connected again for a 25-yard score on a great over-the-shoulder catch from Maynes.

Merchant Marine missed a 37-yard field goal on the ensuing possession, setting up Catholic to travel 80 yards in eight plays as Casares found sophomore Malachi Hansen for the touchdown, this time from 26 yards away. A 16-yard Jared Colletti rush on third-and-six put the Cardinals in Mariner territory before the score.

Early in the second quarter, Noah Miller intercepted a Jeremiah Wang pass, giving Catholic possession up 21-0. Casares hit four different pass catchers on the drive, setting up a 20-yard field goal from Fabrizio Reilly to push Catholic's lead to 24.

The Mariners found the end zone late in the first half, traveling 74 yards in 14 plays. Wang hit Talsen Smith for a 24-yard score on fourth-and-seven and then found Ben Rini on the two-point conversion to make it 24-8.

After a Hansen kick return set up the Cardinals with good field position, Colletti broke off a 34-yard run on the first play, pushing the ball into Mariner territory and setting up a 27-yard field goal for Reilly as the first half horn sounded. 

Catholic forced a turnover on downs on Merchant Marine's first drive of the second half, getting a tackle from sophomore Mason Stillwell on fourth-and-two. The Cards proceeded to take the ball 46 yards on nine plays, as Casares found Anthony Giordano for the 22-yard score.

Merchant Marine scored 10 unanswered to make it a 34-18 game early in the fourth quarter. However, Casares tossed his fifth touchdown of the game, a 75-yard moon shot to Hansen for his fifth touchdown toss of the day.

The Mariners tacked on 15 more points in the final period, but the Cardinals held on for a 41-33 win, improving them to 4-0 in NEWMAC play.

Casares tossed five scores for the second time in just four career starts. Hansen snagged three passes for 126 yards and two touchdowns. Colletti ran for 86 yards to lead the Catholic rushing attack.

Miller led the defense with 11 tackles, an interception, and a pass breakup. Joe Nazzaro and Michael Hopkins each had 10 tackles while Hopkins added in 1.5 tackles for loss and a sack.

Catholic has a bye week upcoming after a fourth-straight victory.