Annandale, VA – Traveling to a Northern Virginia team that started the day third in the Region 20 standings, the Dragons shocked the Nighthawks with a resounding 6-1 victory.
 
Northern Virginia jumped out to a strong start as a goal in the fourth minute put the hosts ahead. That would be the last of the good feelings for the Nighthawks as Fousseiny Diallo (Mali/AISB) answered back with a goal eight minutes later from an Aidan Atang (Fulton, MD/Reservoir) assist. The two swapped roles 10 minutes later as Atang scored his third goal of the season to put Howard ahead. Diego Ruiz (Odenton, MD/Meade) added a goal before halftime on a Jason Fuentes (Columbia, MD/Hammond) assist to give the Dragons a 3-1 lead at the break.
 
The Dragons busted the game wide open in the second half starting with Kai Onabiyi (Netherlands/) scoring in the 58^th minute with Mateo Moore (Columbia, MD/Oakland Mills) picking up the helper. Chris Herzog (Ellicott City, MD/Howard) added a goal six minutes later with Kyle Simmons (Laurel, MD/Atholton) getting the assist before helping Ian Eldemire (Jessup, MD/Meade) to make it three goals in eight minutes for Howard.
 
Howard's defense played spectacularly, holding the Nighthawks to just 10 shots in the game with Danny Ventura (Laurel, MD/Reservoir) picking up the win in goal.
 
The Dragons improve to 4-5 in regional play, vaulting them from ninth to sixth with the crucial victory. Howard will have little time to rest as they will turn around 24 hours later to host Mercer County on Friday, October 6 at 2 PM.