Sparks, MD - An incredible debut performance by goalkeeper Tim Russell (Catonsville, MD/Catonsville) and his 19 saves gave the #4 ranked Dragons a 10-8 victory over the Naval Preparatory School in Howard's season opener.

A high scoring first quarter saw Leshun Gunn score his first two collegiate goals with Jackson Krasny (Hagerstown, MD/St. Maria Goretti) adding a goal as the two teams were knotted at 4-4.

Howard got off to a rough start on face-offs as the Dragons struggled to get their offense going early on, but Jake Griffin (Eldersburg, MD/Liberty) took over in the circle and won 10-17 face-offs to turn the tide for Howard.

Gunn scored again midway through the second quarter to complete his hat trick and Jeremy Sforzo (Vail, CO/Battle Mountain) scored with just 17 seconds left in the first half on a great feed by Colvin Proesser to tie the game at 6-6 going into the halftime break.

The third quarter was the Tim Russell (Catonsville, MD/Catonsville) show as the Howard goalkeeper made a slew of highlight reel saves that shut out Navy Prep while Jack Watsic (Frederick, MD/Linganore) scored his second of the game on the man-up and Sforzo added his second to put the Dragons up two.

Navy Prep drew three simultaneous penalties and took advantage of the significant numerical advantage by finally getting past Russell and halving their deficit. With the game in the balance, Sforzo came through with a huge goal from long range for his third goal in as many periods to put Howard back up by two again. Navy Prep's Ethan Leonard scored his fourth of the game from close range, but Drew Goode (Gambrills, MD/Arundel) scored from a Solomon feed to give the Dragons a much needed insurance goal to see out the win.

The Dragon defense led by Jason McElroy (Frederick, MD/Oakdale) (four ground balls, four caused turnovers), Johnny Chaisson (Glenwood, MD/Glenelg) (three ground balls, two caused turnovers), and Austin Stuebner (Reading, PA/Governor Mifflin) (four ground balls, one caused turnover) were able to lock it down when they were needed most as they helped keep Navy Prep to just two second half goals.

Howard will have plenty of time to hit the practice field as their next game will take place on Saturday, March 9 at 1 PM as they host the Monroe Community College Tribunes.