Columbia, MD – A quartet of goals by sophomore star forward Anderson Marroquin (Elkridge, MD/Hammond) helped lead the Dragons to a second consecutive victory in their home opener as Howard defeated Harcum 6-3.

Marroquin continued his prolific ways early as he got a fast break down the right side and coolly slotted the ball into the bottom corner to give the Dragons the lead just five minutes into the game. Marroquin continued to be a thorn in the Bears side as a brilliant turn in the box forced a foul from the defending team which he was able to finish from the spot on the penalty shot.

The commanding start by Howard was only increased when Harcum's Omar Ayala was handed a straight red card from a bad foul in the middle of the field, forcing the Bears to play a man down for a vast majority of the game.

The first half hat trick was completed after just 30 minutes of play as a long throw in by Oscar Espinoza (Ellicott City, MD/Mount Hebron) found the foot of Marroquin who scored on a hard shot to the roof of the net.

Harcum was able to pull a goal back late in the first half as a streaking Ryan Kingsford was taken down in the box by Trevor Ndambi (Laurel, MD/Reservoir) which gave Daniel Roth the chance to score a penalty shot for the Bears.

The Bears cut into Howard's lead again as they scored with just six seconds left in the first half to make the Howard faithful start to sweat.  Marroquin would help to quell those fears out of the break as he went right down the field and scored from a tight angle into the side netting.

After Harcum once again cut into the Howard lead, the Dragons got their all-important insurance goal with five minutes left in regulation as a stellar cross by Bradley Muma (Silver Spring, MD/Paint Branch) found a wide open Alexander Estrada (Ellicott City, MD/Oakland Mills) on the back post for an easy tap in goal. Muma got on the scoresheet once again with a minute remaining as a Julio Medrano (Hyattsville, MD/High Point) corner kick found Muma, who earned a headed goal for a second consecutive game.

Goalkeeper Kevin Pina (Columbia, MD/Long Reach) picked up six saves in the contest as he earned his second win of the season.

The Dragons will stay at home for their next game as they host Carroll Community College for the first time as Carroll fields their first ever varsity athletics program. The nearby neighbors to the north are also members of the Md Juco conference giving the Dragons to improve upon their conference record.