Columbia, MD - The #2 ranked Howard Dragons were able to defeat the #1 ranked Nassau Lions 21-9 in a shocking rout that will assuredly mean that the Dragons will become the #1 ranked team for the first time any sport has reached that mark in school history.

The Dragons got out to a great start, winning the first six face-offs in the game which led to numerous chances early. The Chase Noah (Darnestown, MD/St. Andrews Episcopal) and Zane Dalpe (Belle River, ON/Saint Anne) show started early and often as Noah scored on a Dalpe assist two minutes into the game. Noah would go on to complete a first quarter hat trick with Brennan Treacy (Woodbine, MD/Saint Pauls) and Brian Zajac (Brookeville MD/Good Counsel) also getting in on the action. 

Leading 6-2 going into the second quarter, Nassau responded with a couple of goals to close the gap, but a huge Cole Blanche (Mount Airy, MD/Linganore) goal off Philip Petersen's (Vail, CO/Eagle Valley) nifty feed slowed the Lions' momentum. After Nassau scored on a fluky goal by the Lions' face-off specialist, the Dragons went on a huge 9-0 run that put the game out of reach. The run included three more Dalpe goals along with goals from defensive stalwarts Aaron Rubeling and Jack Slack (Ellicott City, MD/Marriotts Ridge) getting the chance to score on their lone shots of the game.

The two teams continued to exchange a high rate of goals in the fourth quarter, but the result was never again in doubt as Howard clinched the commanding victory.

Dalpe led the team with seven points on five goals and two assists with Noah close behind on four goals and two assists. Blanche added a goal and three assists while Petersen and Treacy had three points each.

Chris Peterson (Saline, MI/Saline) put in an MVP performance on the day with 14 saves and holding up strong against a barrage of 51 Nassau shots.

The Dragons will look to continue their momentum when they host Potomac State on Wednesday, April 6 at 4 PM.