Columbia, MD - A match full of intrigue and excitement saw the Howard CC Dragons attempt to shock the #1 ranked CCBC Essex Knights fall just short as the favorites pulled out a 2-1 overtime victory. 

A frantic pace at the start of the game set the tone for the entire contest as the Knights controlled most of the possession, but the Dragons defense led by Josue Sorto-Ramos (Hyattsville, MD/Northwestern) and Brayan Navas (Wheaton, MD/Wheaton) were stalwart. 

The Dragons were able to strike first as an effective counter attack saw Dylan Portillo (Bladensburg, MD/Bladensburg) fouled in the box and Evan Doten (Clarksville, MD/River Hill) hammered home the penalty kick for his seventh goal of the season. 

After being down for the majority of the first half, the top ranked Knights finally made their breakthrough in the first minute of the second half as a scramble in the Howard goal box saw Toga Katsuma toe poke it in from close range. 

The heightened pressure of the game started to get to both teams as 11 yellow cards were issued in the game with Doten receiving his second yellow in the 60th minute of the game to put the Dragons down a man for the remainder of the game. 

Despite the man advantage, the Dragons still found ways to get chances on goal with Portillo getting three strong chances late in the game that barely missed shocking the Knights.

Regulation finished with both teams still tied and it took until the 98th minute for Kota Tsuchisawa of the Knights one-timing a shot thanks to a great assist by Kazuma Ishizuka to put the game away.

The Dragons will get a week to recover before taking on Potomac State on Tuesday, September 21 in the Dragons Lair at 4 PM.