Columbia, MD - The Dragons took an early lead, but ultimately fell to the Sussex County Skylanders by the score of 4-2 in the NJCAA Division II East District Championship game.

It took just six minutes of play for the first goal, as a pass by Amy Rodriguez set Tahlia Stangherlin (Hamilton, Ontario/Pallotti) loose through the middle of the box for her touch around the keeper into the net as she scored for the 13th time this season. 

Sussex County grew more comfortable in the game after being shocked with the early goal as they scored in the 10th and 22nd minutes to take a 2-1 lead. It was nearly a 3-1 lead shortly after, but an incredible sprawling save by Hailey Murray (Catonsville, MD/Catonsville) as one of 11 for the game kept the score from increasing for the Skylanders.

Howard had a few more great chances, the best of which came in the last minute of the first half when a dangerous play foul was called in the Sussex goal box. Rodriguez took the indirect kick and shot just high of the net as the score was 2-1 at halftime.

The Dragons tied the game in dramatic fashion in the 57th minute when Stangherlin tightrope walked the end line to keep the ball in bounds to allow her a pass to the middle that Rodriguez slammed home for her fifth goal of the season. Howard continued to control the bulk of possession for the first 20 minutes of the second half, with the Skylanders barely able to get the ball across midfield.

But the lethal counter attack was put on display in the 70th minute as Sussex took the lead back, later scoring the insurance goal in the 76th minute to put the game away.

The Dragons now must hope for an at-large bid to earn their way into the national tournament, otherwise their 2021 season will have come to an end at 13-3.