Catonsville, MD – A dramatic comeback victory was capped off by the continued excellence of sophomore forward Anderson Marroquin (Elkridge, MD/Hammond) as his double overtime goal gave Howard their first win of the season and a crucial conference victory over CCBC Catonsville 4-3.

The Cardinals took the early lead midway through the first half as a bad clearance by goalkeeper Kevin Pina (Columbia, MD/Long Reach) was intercepted by Raphael Gallegos who immediately played through Dyego Monteiro behind the defense for an easy finish into the Howard net.

Howard had a few really good chances in the first half as shots by Jose Garcia (El Salvador/Colegio San Franciso) and Ismael Reyes (Silver Spring, MD/Paint Branch) were pulled wide from good scoring areas.

After a bad foul by Catonsville as the Dragons were seemingly in on goal, a dangerous free kick into the box appeared destined for the head of Alexander Estrada (Ellicott City, MD/Oakland Mills), but the arms of the Cardinal players dragging him down went unseen by the referees.

Marroquin was starved of service for much of the game, but was able to create his own opportunity 14 minutes into the second half as he collected a pass from outside the 18 yard box and curled a shot that was saved by the Cardinals goalkeeper Anthony Maseda.

Catonsville took advantage of a rare opportunity in front of goal as a long cross by Gallegos was headed in Muhammed Maroof from close range to give the Cardinals a 2-0 lead midway through the second half as Gallegos picked up his second assist of the day.

Howard's best chances of the second half came on a three on two breakaway that resulted in a Lassana Diakite (Mali/Ceick Amla Diop) shot being saved by Maseda. A few minutes later, the Dragons drew a foul from a central position just outside the goal box,  and Diakite hit a beautiful curling left-footed shot into the top left corner of the net to pull a goal back for the Dragons.
It took just five more minutes for Howard to tie the game as a shot by Marroquin was blocked away by the Cardinals goalkeeper, but Estrada was there to tap the rebound into an open net.

Catonsville crushed the Howard momentum shortly thereafter as they were able to break through to allow Malek Shedid for a one on one with Pina and he slotted in a low shot to give Catonsville the lead back at 3-2 with 10 minutes remaining in the second half.

The highly entertaining second half continued as the Dragons earned a corner kick with just over two minutes left. An in-swinging corner by Diakite to the back post was headed back across by Bradley Muma (Silver Spring, MD/Paint Branch) and into the side netting for a dramatic game-tying goal.

Howard had some glorious chances in the first overtime period including a great play by Marroquin to cut inside the box, but pulled his shot just wide of the goal. A minute later the Dragons fast break saw them tap into an empty net, only for the goal to be waived off by an offsides call on Marroquin. Catonsville was unable to get the ball out for much of the overtime with Howard dominating possession.

The Dragons continued pressure paid off three minutes into the second overtime period as a long through ball by Luis Wardcantori (Fulton, MD/Reservoir) found a wide open Marroquin who curled a low shot around the keeper to earn the golden goal win.

Howard will finally get to enjoy their home opener on Saturday, August 31 as they host Harcum College at 3 PM.