Selden, NY - After a tough loss to Nassau on the first game of the Long Island swing, the Dragons earned their redemption in an extremely physical match as Howard was able to push through fatigue and injuries and come away with a shut-out win over the Sharks.
After a little bit of a slow start, the Dragons found their feet ten minutes in. Clara Janush (Laurel, MD/Reservoir) took a free kick for the Dragons and it fell directly to Kylie Toler's (Fulton, MD/Reservoir) feet. Toler played a through ball to Lillian Scott (Catonsville, MD/Catonsville) who found Madalyn Nichols (Mt. Airy, MD/Glenelg) in the box for the Dragons first goal of the game. Nichols and Scott were able to strike again just a couple minutes later as Nichols assisted Scott for her first goal of the game.
The Dragons continued to put the pressure on, showing little mercy throughout the first half. The Sharks leading scorer Jessica Collocola made many attempts to dribble through the Dragons backfield but each touch was met by the stonewall Dragons defense. Busi Sokoya (Columbia, MD/Long Reach) made numerous effective challenges and Hailey Murray (Catonsville, MD/Catonsville) was able to save the four shots that made it through the Dragons defense.
Howard maintained possession and continued to put goals on the scoreboard as the half continued. Scott had another excellent cross into the box to Nicole Epitropoulos (Catonsville, MD/Chapelgate Christian) who assisted Kayla Hatmaker (Woodbine, MD/Century) for another Dragons goal.
Clara Janush (Laurel, MD/Reservoir) scored off a free kick from outside of the 18 yard box and Nichols put in her second of the game towards the end of the half to make it a 5-0 Dragons lead at halftime.
The second half continued to be one of Dragons domination as Nichols scored her hat trick just ten minutes in off of a breakaway through the Sharks defense. The physicality only increased as the match went on and three yellow cards were issued during the second half.
Nichols and Scott continued to work their connection at the top of the Dragons line. With 15 minutes left to play, Nichols took a corner for the Dragons that soared straight to Scott's head for a beautiful goal for the seventh and final goal.
The Dragons next game will be on Thursday, October 10 at 4 PM on the road to Hagerstown Community College.
