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Rockford, IL – The #7 seeded Dragons were unable to come through with an upset over the #2 seeded Delta Pioneers in the NJCAA National Tournament quarterfinals, who have now won 15 straight matches after defeating Howard. Dragons goalkeeper Cassandra Padellford (Truckee, CA/Truckee) was huge in the game with 10 saves and the defensive line of Howard played a phenomenal game to largely silence a powerful Pioneers attack.

Delta College had a fast break opportunity in the eighth minute that goalkeeper Padellford was in perfect position to save. However, a minute later Delta was able to tally a goal as a throw in went all the way into the box as Hope Emmington was able to barely sneak the ball past Padellford on the near side that narrowly crossed the goal like to give the Pioneers the lead.

Howard got their first good chance on goal in the 16^th minute as Nikki Vieira (Sao Paulo, Brazil/Colégio Adventista) and Grace Pritchett (Dayton, MD/Linganore) played a great give-and-go that saw Vieira's shot saved.

The Dragons drew a foul from about 30 yards away that Leigh McDonald (Loveland, CO/Mountain View) used to take a left footed shot that was saved by the Pioneers goalkeeper. McDonald let it rip again 10 minutes later from a little bit closer, but the near side curling shot was knocked aside by Delta's goalkeeper Kalyn Breckenridge.

Delta scored a second just after the halftime break to give them an insurance goal in the 47^th minute.

Ellen Campbell (Highland, MD/Reservoir) came right back three minutes later with a shot on goal that Breckenridge again was able to get her mitts on.

Padellford continued to keep the Dragons in the game as Delta got through on goal again midway through the second half and the Howard goalkeeper was in perfect position to kick it away and then again a few minutes later as she was able to save a breakaway shot.

Vieira worked herself into a fantastic opportunity in the middle of the goal box with just under 20 minutes left in the second half, but her shot skipped right into the chest of the Pioneers keeper.

Howard was able to work the ball into the box a few more times over the rest of the match, but nothing that resulted in a good scoring chance for the Dragons.

The loss puts the Dragons into the consolation bracket where they will play on Friday, November 9 at 11 AM ET against the loser of the Genessee vs. Union County contest.

Video Highlights Courtesy of NJCAA TV: