Arnold, MD – The #8 ranked Dragons won perhaps their most important regular season match of the year, as they took down Anne Arundel 7-1 in a rout.

Facing their divisional rivals with postseason seeding implications on the line, Howard got off to a great start in the fourth minute as a loose ball fell to Madalyn Nichols (Mt. Airy, MD/Glenelg) who dribbled the ball 30 yards down the field and scored on a fast break.

Howard doubled up the lead in the 21^st minute as Kylie Toler (Fulton, MD/Reservoir) picked up a pass from Busi Sokoya (Columbia, MD/Long Reach) in the center of the field and drove straight through the Riverhawks defense to score her fifth goal of the game.

Early in the second half, a poor goal kick by the Anne Arundel goalkeeper fell to Toler who slid the ball to Nichols with the ball being powered into the roof of the net. Nichols made it a hat trick just a minute later as a long kick by Howard goalkeeper Hailey Murray (Catonsville, MD/Catonsville) set Nichols loose on a breakaway for an easy finish.

Anne Arundel pulled one back a couple minutes later on a shot to the top corner that Murray was almost able to make an incredible save on, but could only get a fingertip on the ball.

The blazing hot Nichols scored her fourth of the game as the reigning NJCAA DIII Player of the Week was set free by right back Mya McConnell (Columbia, MD/Howard) for another fast break by Nichols as she scored on a high arching shot over the Riverhawks goalkeeper to make it 11 goals on the year.

Howard kept their best foot forward as a foul drawn deep in their own half was taken by stalwart defender Clara Janush (Laurel, MD/Reservoir) who's long line drive free kick found Kayla Hatmaker (Woodbine, MD/Century) on a run forward as she shot it in for her fifth goal of the season.

Toler closed out the scoring in the 77^th minute as she played a great give-and-go with Lillian Scott (Catonsville, MD/Catonsville) to score from the middle of the goal box and give the Dragons a resounding victory.

Howard outshot Anne Arundel 21-3 in the contest, a testament to the amazing play from the defensive line of Sokoya, Janush, McConnell and Allison Sturm (Mt. Airy, MD/South Carroll).

The Dragons will have another critical conference game up next as they host the first place CCBC Essex Knights on Wednesday, September 25 at 4 PM. The Knights are 4-0 in the Md Juco conference this year and along with the Dragons are the only other undefeated team for conference play.