Columbia, MD – A dramatic last minute goal by Tahlia Stangherlin (Hanover, MD/Pallotti) earned the Dragons the first ever Region 20 Division 2 championship in a 2-1 victory over the CCBC Essex Knights.

The first 20 minutes of the game were dominated by the Knights as Howard was unable to get out of their own half. Essex piled on the shots early with Dragon goalkeeper Hailey Murray (Catonsville, MD/Catonsville) being put to the test on her way to making 10 saves in one of the best collegiate games of her illustrious career.

In the 24^th minute with everything looking gloomy for Howard, the Dragons were fouled in the Essex half of the field. Clara Janush (Laurel, MD/Reservoir) hit a high, curling free kick into the box that Madalyn Nichols (Mt. Airy, MD/Glenelg) headed over the hands of Essex goalkeeper Jennifer Holland and into the net against the run of play.

Just before halftime, Zaida Holloway of the Knights sliced through the Dragon defense to become just the third player all year long to get a shot past Murray to tie the game at 1-1.

The second half was a much more even affair with the contest becoming increasingly more tense and physical. With just a minute remaining, head coach Kate Seagroves subbed in Stangherlin before a long goal kick by Murray. The ball found its way to Nichols who hit a brilliant through ball over the top of the Essex defense to set Tessa Cinotti (Laurel, MD/Reservoir) on a fast break. Her touch pass across to a blazing Stangherlin allowed the freshman to dribble into the box and power a shot into the top of the net to give the Dragons a sensational lead.

Essex made one last play in as a foul just outside of the Howard box gave Kara Dietrich a chance to hit a shot that Murray saved to close out the victory and championship for the Dragons.

With the win, Howard will move on to the Mid-Atlantic District Tournament where they will face Cape Fear CC on Friday, May 21 at 3 PM in a game that will be played on the campus of CCBC Catonsville.