Columbia, MD - In the first ever Esports playoff match in Howard CC history, the #4 seeded Dragons were able to prevail over #5 Carroll University 3-1 in the New England Collegiate Conference (NECC) quarterfinals.

In game one of the best of five series, the Dragons were overrun early in the first game for defense, but a stellar five minute hold on the last point prevented Carroll from getting all three points. The teams switched sides and the potent Dragons attack steamrolled right through Carroll University to take all three points and the game one win. 

In a control point game two, Carroll started out the game with a strong early comp and took the first point, but the Dragons were in total control of the second point to tie it up. The Pioneers made some great adjustments to put pressure on early and took the third point to tie the match at 1-1.

Game three started as a similar story to game one as Carroll took the first two points on attack with ease, but an epic four minute hold on the last point again prevented the Pioneers from maximizing their attack. The Dragons went on the attack and while they were briefly stalled on the second point, Howard powered through to take all three points and the game three win.

The fourth game saw both teams get two points each in regular time which forced the game into overtime. Howard CC started on defense and pulled off a masterful hold to prevent Carroll from getting a single point which allowed the Dragons to counter on the offensive side and needed just one minute to get a game and match winning point as the Dragons took the match 3-1.

The Dragons will advance to the semifinals on Wednesday, November 18 at 5 PM where they will take on #1 seed Northern Essex Community College (7-0). The Dragons fell to the Northern Essex Knights 3-0 in the regular season back on October 21 as Howard CC will look to upset the tournament favorites and advance to the championship.