Arnold, MD - Coming off a tough loss, the Dragons rebounded  2-1 win in an important regional match over the Anne Arundel Riverhawks.

With postseason implications on the line, both teams came out hard to start the first half. The Dragon's Jose Garcia (El Salvador/Colegio San Franciso) sent a shot soaring just over the top of the net just two minutes into the game. But the Riverhawks were able to counter quickly on a breakaway as Howard goalkeeper Darbouzeson Casseus (Columbia, MD/Oakland Mills) was forced to scramble out of the box for an impressive clear.

At the 31 minute mark, the River Hawks had a strong chance as Trevor Militello had a fast break down the field, but the Dragons defense was quick to get back and Andrew Flick (Ellicott City, MD/Centennial) was able to knock the ball out of play. Both teams continued to have chances throughout the remainder of the first half as Julio Medrano (Hyattsville, MD/High Point) was able to gain possession just outside the goal box, but the shot went flying high.

In the last three seconds of the first half, a foul was called on ­­­­Militello of the Riverhawks and Anthony Perez (Columbia, MD/Hammond), coming off an injury and seeing his first minutes of the season, put a beautiful free kick right in the box that was defended by Anne Arundel to make it scoreless at halftime.

In the second half, the Dragons came out with a ton of momentum as Anderson Marroquin (Elkridge, MD/Hammond) had several shots in the first couple of minutes. The Dragons hard work eventually paid off as Garcia found the top corner of the net off a cross from Lassana Diakite (Mali/Ceick Amla Diop) to give the Dragons the lead just five minutes into the second half. 

The Dragons continued to pile on the pressure as it took just four minutes for Howard to score again. Marroquin won a contested ball and played a perfect through pass to Alexander Estrada (Ellicott City, MD/Oakland Mills) who calmly finished the ball into the back of the net to put the Dragons ahead by two with 35 minutes still left to play.

Late in the game, Riverhawks goalkeeper Brenden LeMaster dribbled the ball out from the back almost to midfield and then perfectly chipped it to ­­­­Militello, who had a powerful volley straight into the back of the Dragons' net. That 86^th minute goal proved to be too little, too late for Anne Arundel as the Dragons were able to hold on for the 2-1 victory.

The Dragons next game will be against conference powerhouse CCBC Essex at the Dragons Lair on Tuesday, September 24^th at 4 PM.