Columbia, MD - An Evan Doten (Costa Rica/River Hill) hat trick and the unstoppable Leonard Dunor (Fargo, ND/Sheyenne) surged the Dragons past the Montgomery Raptors 4-2. The Dragons close out their regular season with a 9-6 record including a 7-4 record against MD JUCO opponents.

The Raptors came out firing early when a Luis Aquino through ball found Andrew Javitt behind the Howard defense to score the first goal nine minutes into the game. 

Howard CC tried to work their way into the game more and it took a moment of brilliance from Leonard Dunor (Fargo, ND/Sheyenne) to get it started as he sliced through the Montgomery defense and was taken down from behind to earn a penalty kick that Evan Doten (Costa Rica/River Hill) confidently struck into the bottom corner of the net. It took just three minutes later for Dunor to give the Dragons the lead as he hit a sliding shot from a tight angle off the inside of the post and into the net to put Howard ahead.

Late in the first half, it was Dunor again who ran around the Raptors defender only to be taken down in the box for a second time. It was Deja Vu for the Dragons as Doten again scored from the penalty spot for Howard CC to take a 3-1 lead at halftime.

Montgomery would pull a goal back on a free kick just outside of the Dragons goal box in the 62nd minute to close the gap, and nearly tied it shortly after only to see goalkeeper Lesbin Monroy (Columbia, MD/Laurel) make a sprawling save to preserve the lead. 

In the 73rd minute, a Kyle Eylanbekov (Columbia, MD/Wilde Lake) shot was handed down by the Montgomery defense to see Howard given a third penalty kick in the match, which Doten scored to give himself a hat trick on the game and 20 goals for the season. Despite a few nervy moments, the Dragons defense held firm from there to give Howard the well deserved victory.

The Dragons will now get two weeks to rest and recuperate as they prepare to host the Region 20 Division II tournament which will start with the semifinals on Thursday, October 28.