Columbia, MD - Seven goals in the second half sent the Howard CC Dragons sprinting past the College of Southern Maryland Hawks in an 8-2 rout. The Dragons men's soccer team improved to 2-0 on the year with a couple of big regional victories.

Southern Maryland came out of the gates with grit and energy as they threatened to put pressure on the Dragons, but a 23rd minute goal by Emmanuel Pope (Columbia, MD/Hammond) took some of the wind out of their sails. 

After a hard fought 1-0 first half, the flood gates opened early in the second half as Evan Doten (Clarksville, MD/River Hill) scored two goals within three minutes of each other, both assisted by Abdoul Camara (Burtonsville, MD/High Point). Doten would go on to complete his hat trick in the 52nd minute on a penalty kick as the true freshman announced his presence with authority.

Brandon Ruano (Laurel, MD/Laurel) scored a few minutes later on a Dylan Portillo (Bladensburg, MD/Bladensburg) assist before Portillo scored one himself. Leonard Dunor (Columbia, MD/Sheyenne) would go on to score two goals in the last two minutes of the game, the first of which came on Camara's fourth assist of the game.

Lesbin Monroy (Laurel, MD/Laurel) started the game in goal for the Dragons, picking up his second win of the season. Gabriel Viteri (Columbia, MD/Wilde Lake) took over in the second half and made the lone save of the contest.

The Dragons will face their first road test of the season as they go to CCBC Catonsville on Thursday, September 2 at 5 PM.