Columbia, MD - Molly Nichols (Mt. Airy, MD/Glenelg) scored two goals and assisted on two others as a dominant Dragons side controlled the Frederick Cougars in a 6-0 win in the region tournament quarterfinals.

Nichols got Howard out to a great start in the 16th minute as her long shot found a way past the Frederick goalkeeper and into the net. Casey Boin (Ellicott City, MD/Mount De Sales) was able to tap in on a beautiful build up for Howard and would add a second just before half on a bombing run as she now has eight goals on the season and six in her last five games.

Boin continued to make plays early in the second half as her cross found Nichols in the middle of the box as she powered a shot into the top left corner for her fourth goal of the season. Nichols would turn into the playmaker from there as she slotted a pass for Melissa Villatoro (Riverdale, MD/Parkdale) who lofted a shot over the Cougars goalkeeper and into the net for her third of the season. Nichols would add her team leading 10th assist of the season in the 67th minute as her picture perfect cross found an open Madison Dzubak (Highland, MD/River Hill) for a headed goal to close out the scoring. 

Howard outshot Frederick 34-4 in the match, thanks in large part to the amazing defensive performance from the back line of Sarah Pulone, Sarah Woods (Laurel, MD/Reservoir), Sage Huber (West Friendship, MD/Glenelg), and Katelyn Burdette (Frederick, MD/Walkersville). 

The Dragons will advance to the semifinals where they will face #1 seed CCBC Essex on Wednesday, October 26 at 5:30 PM on the campus of CCBC Dundalk. The Essex Knights defeated the Dragons 2-0 in the regular season back on September 6.