Dundalk, MD - The Dragons put up a commendable fight against the #3 nationally ranked CCBC Essex Knights, but ultimately fell 3-0 in the regional tournament semifinals as their promising season came to a sudden end.

After a startling 8-0 loss to Essex in the regular season where they scored four goals in the opening eight minutes, an early goal by Essex in the sixth minute made for fears of a similar result.

The Dragons altered their plans, taking on a more defensive approach to slow down the Knights offensive juggernaut. Essex would go on to add a second goal on a 30+ yard free kick to take a 2-0 lead into halftime.

Howard's game plan really shown through in the second half, as the dangerous counter attacking abilities of Howard saw them get chance after chance, leading to 13 second half shots with Leonard Dunor (Fargo, MD/Sheyenne) and Abdoul Camara (College Park, MD/High Point) getting the best chances for the Dragons.

The hopes of Dragon fans were dashed in the 66th minute when another stellar free kick by the Knights made it a 3-0 game with Essex being able to hold onto the clean sheet in the end.

Baraka Kagira-Kargbo (Freetown, Sierra Leone/Moorland) and Dunor were named to the all-tournament team as the Dragons season comes to an end with an overall record of 11-7.