Batavia, NY – A competitive game saw the Dragons fall just short on their second half comeback as they fell to the Genesee Cougars 15-10.

Marielle Henriquez (Laurel, MD/Reservoir) got the scoring started for the Dragons with a high bouncer into the roof of the net to tie the game up at 1-1.

The Dragons struggled early to deal with a tenacious Cougars defense; particularly on clear attempts. But Howard gave Genesee a taste of their own medicine late in the first half as sustained pressure kept the ball near the Cougars goal for nearly four minutes. The Dragons finally had their efforts pay off on a Maddie Reeser (Sykesville, MD/Century) free position goal into the bottom corner of the net to break the 7-0 Genesee run.

Brianna Bucksell (Washington, DC/Oxon Hill) came up with two huge saves back-to-back with just a minute left in the first half as the Dragons trailed 10-2 at the break.

Howard came out strong to start the second half as another Bucksell save led to a transition goal as Reeser set up Madison Altenburg (Columbia, MD/Seton Keogh) to cut into the Cougars lead.

Another big defensive stop for the Dragons came via an Emily Delaney (Catonsville, MD/Catonsville) ground ball which led to a Noelle Dawson (Catonsville, MD/Kings Academy) fast break goal as Howard continued to gain second half momentum.

Genesee won the ensuing draw control, but Dawson intercepted the pass and later set up a slashing Henriquez through the middle of the zone to score her second of the game and the Cougars lead was cut to 10-5.

Kristen Ogle (Sykesville, MD/Century) was all over the field as per usual, but it took 40 minutes of play for her to get on the scoreboard as her free position goal followed by another Henriquez free position goal narrowed the Genesee lead to 11-7.

Ogle cut from behind the goal and was found by Altenburg and scored followed by Reeser's free position for her second of the day and later scored her hat trick; doubling her goals for the season in a single game.

The Dragons will travel to Anne Arundel in the regular season finale on Tuesday, April 30 for a 6 PM conference game.