Arnold, MD - The 2024 season came to an end Wednesday afternoon for the Howard Community College Dragons, as they fell 4-1 to CCBC Essex in the semifinals of the Region 20 Division II Tournament.

Despite being out-shot 21-7, the Dragons kept the game close through the first half, even cutting an early defecit in half. A late rally by the Knights would end the season for the Dragons, marking the fourth straight postseason loss to CCBC Essex.

An early Knights goal in the eighth minute gave CCBC Essex a lead they would not relinquish. A second goal in the eleventh minute made it seem like CCBC Essex would break the game open, but the Dragons defense locked down the rest of the half. Howard had several chances to eat into the lead, finally breaking through in the 39th minute. Sam Santos (Columbia, MD/Oakland Mills) scored what would end up being the last goal of the season for the Dragons to halve the Knights lead.

Trailing 2-1 at the half, the Dragons could smell a chance at victory. The defense continued to play lights out until the final five minutes. Two late Knights goals ended the Dragons season, sealing the 4-1 victory for CCBC Essex.

Sam Santos (Columbia, MD/Oakland Mills) finished the game with two shots, one shot on goal, and the only goal of the game for Howard. Truce Norton (Columbia, MD/Oakland Mills) had two shots on goal and an assist, while Jefferson Estrada (Hyattsville, MD/Northwestern), Bryan Barrientos (Catonsville, MD/Catonsville), and Samson Ogunleye (Geneva, SWIZT/Mt. Hebron) each recorded a shot on goal. Goalkeeper Luke Ryerson (Ellicott City, MD/Howard) made seven saves on eleven shots.

The Dragons finish the 2024 campaign with an 8-7-1 record, three games above where they finished last season.