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Herkimer, NY – A valiant effort by the #8 seeded Dragons saw them fall just short in their attempt to upset #1 seed Nassau
The Dragons did a good job holding a high defensive line to slow down the game for the first 25 minutes of the game as they stifled the powerful Lions offense.
However, Nassau was able to take the lead midway through the first half as an incredible strike from 25 yards out by John Paul Rodriguez into the top right corner put the Lions ahead 1-0.
The Dragons nearly tied it up less than two minutes later as
Anderson Mejia Marroquin (Elkridge, MD/Hammond) got the ball into the box on the right side and put it across the Nassau goal to
Daniel Fuentes (Clarksville, MD/River Hill) on the back post who hit the point blank shot over the net.
Nassau's powerful counter attack was on full display in the 29
th minute as they went coast to coast and forced an incredible save by
Simon Bradford (Columbia, MD/Hammond). Controversy ensued as it appeared the ball clearly went over the end line, but the referees allowed play to continue and Rodriguez was able to secure his brace as he hammered it home to double the Lions lead.
Marroquin made another strong drive down the right side and drew a foul just outside of the goal box that
Anthony Perez Rodriguez (Columbia, MD/Hammond) lasered right into the chest of the Nassau goalkeeper. Another Rodriguez free kick saw it flicked on from the head of
Jose Garcia Monterrosa (El Salvador/Colegio San Franciso) and saved once again by the Lions net minder.
More controversy came with six minutes left in the first half as a Rodriguez free kick into the box clearly hit the hand of a Nassau defender inside the box, but the referee was loathe to blow his whistle on the play.
Another great Howard opportunity for the Dragons came a minute later as Fuentes pulled it back to a wide open
Cesar Torres (Jessup, MD/Hammond) in the middle of the box who had his shot from eight yards out deflected over the crossbar as Nassau took a 2-0 lead into halftime.
Another glorious chance for Howard occurred 15 minutes into the second half when Marroquin attempted a side volley from the middle of the box that went over the net.
Howard was able to pull a goal back as a cross by Marroquin was called for a handball in the box against Nassau and
Bryce Waller (Clarksville, MD/River Hill) scored from the penalty spot for a second straight game as he smashed it right down the middle to make it a 2-1 game.
The Dragons got one more great chance with two minutes left as a free kick from 25 yards out was hit hard to the near side by Rodriguez, but it was saved by Nassau's goalkeeper once more.
Howard will play in a consolation game on Friday, November 9 at 11 AM against the loser of the #4 Camden County vs. #5 Cayuga match.
Video highlights courtesy of NJCAA TV:
