Brentwood, NY – The Dragons were able to complete their New York swing with a dramatic 13-12 win over the #6 ranked Suffolk County Sharks. Howard goalkeeper Tim Russell (Catonsville, MD/Catonsville) came up with an incredible performance with 21 saves to lead the Dragons to a critical victory on the season.

Everything looked to be going Howard CC's way early in the game as Jeremy Sforzo (Vail, CO/Battle Mountain) scored just seven seconds into the contest to start a 6-0 run for the Dragons. Howard saw six different players score goals during that run as Jack Watsic (Frederick, MD/Linganore) scored then set up goals for Joseph Montesano (Edgewater, MD/Damascus) and Colvin Prosser (Kennesaw, GA/Lassiter).

Jackson Krasny (Hagerstown, MD/St. Maria Goretti) assisted on a Jake Polinsky (Sykesville, MD/Marriotts Ridge) missile before using his strength to muscle his way to the cage and score a goal of his own.

The Sharks finally got on the board in the closing seconds of the first quarter and scored first in the second quarter, but the ensuing face-off was won cleanly by Jake Griffin (Eldersburg, MD/Liberty) who dumped it off to Sforzo for a quick response. Sforzo would go on to complete his hat trick late in the second quarter as the Dragons took an 8-4 lead into halftime.

The effects of playing on back-to-back days appeared to take its toll in the second half as the Sharks scored four consecutive goals in the third quarter to tie the game at 8-8 before Krasny scored to get the lead back for Howard. This started a trend of the two teams exchanging goals as Montesano scored on a man-up chance early in the fourth quarter only for Suffolk to tie it again at 10-10 on their own man-up opportunity.

Krasny again gave the Dragons the lead on a great individual effort with a  dodge and snipe, but Suffolk would score 20 seconds later to tie the game back up.

With time running low and the Howard faithful starting to sweat, it was a Johnny Chaisson (Glenwood, MD/Glenelg) defensive play to get the ball back for the Dragons which led to Prosser finding the back of the net from mid-range to give Howard the lead with five minutes left.

The ensuing face-off was won by Tommy Tucker (Laurel, MD/Reservoir) with birthday boy Jake Mackenzie (Mount Airy, MD/South Carroll) scooping up his eighth ground ball of the game and passing off to Drew Goode (Gambrills, MD/Arundel) who put in a quick strike to double the lead for Howard.

Suffolk would not go down gently as they scored a goal with just two minutes left in the fourth quarter to make it a 13-12 lead for Howard. The two teams picked up simultaneous penalties shortly thereafter as both teams played a man down, but Watsic's shot went just wide of the net and Suffolk got control back.

The Sharks came back down the other way and goalkeeper Tim Russell (Catonsville, MD/Catonsville) was forced into a tough save on his near side post. However, the Dragons picked up a penalty on the play and Suffolk went on a power play with just 20 seconds left in regulation. The Sharks got off one last shot, but Russell was up to the challenge and made his 21^st save of the game to ensure victory for Howard.

Howard will now prepare for their cross town rivals #7 ranked CCBC Essex Knights on Friday, April 19 at 4 PM in the Dragons Lair. The Knights are 0-2 in the conference with close losses to Anne Arundel and Harford earlier in the season.