Essex, MD - In round two this year of the classic rivalry, the #5 ranked CCBC Essex Knights were able to avenge their loss in the previous week and defeat the #4 ranked Howard Dragons 18-4.

Howard won the first match between the two powerhouse teams in a dramatic comeback in the Dragons Lair. With this game being played under the lights on the campus of CCBC Essex, the Knights came out and jumped out to a 4-0 lead as the Dragons were held scoreless for the first 27 minutes of the game. 

The Dragons first got on the scoreboard just before halftime as a long range shot by Tyler May (Columbia, MD/Oakland Mills) found the back of the net to cut into the Essex lead. After the Knights scored in the waning second of the first half, Howard scored first in the third quarter as a turn around jump shot by Nate Boone (Elkridge, MD/Howard) bounced into the net. 

After a Knights goal a minute later, Erik Harrell (Owings Mills, MD/Century) won the ensuing face-off and quickly moved the ball to answer back eight seconds later as Boone scored his second of the night to make it a 6-3 Essex lead. From there it was all Essex as they scored 12 of the next 13 goals in the game with a Zane Dalpe (Belle River, ON/Saint Anne) goal mixed in the middle.

Braden Chaney (Sykesville, MD/South Carroll) got the start between the pipes for Howard and made 17 saves while being peppered with 55 shots in the contest.

The Dragons will look to rebound on the road against the #2 ranked Nassau Lions on Saturday, April 22 at 1 PM.