COLUMBIA, MD - The Howard men's lacrosse team went up against a tough opponent in the season opener as they fell to the Naval Academy Preperatory School by the score of 11-7.

Navy went up early with a couple of goals in the first three minutes before JT Harich (Point of Rocks, MD/Brunswick) was able to provide assists on back to back goals scored by Joe Patti (Orlando, FL/Dr. Phillips) and Ethan Varani (Clarksville, MD/River Hill) to tie up the game. Navy scored four straight after that to take the lead as Gianni Karam (Ellicott City, MD/Mount Hebron) finally broke the Howard drought with a great individual effort midway through the second quarter. Joe Hathaway (New Market, MD/Oakdale) was able to bounce a shot in on Harich's third assist as the Dragons trailed 6-4 at halftime.

Patti continued to be the bright spot for the Dragons on offense as he scored a man up goal midway through the third period then pinged the top left corner of the net on back to back possessions in the fourth quarter, but the Dragons were unable to dig their way out of the hole. 

Braden Chaney (Sykesville, MD/South Carroll) played all 60 minutes in goal for Howard, making 15 saves while taking the loss. Erik Harrell (Ownings Mills, MD/Century) was another bright spot for the Dragons as he went 12-14 from the face-off circle.

The Dragons will have little time to rest as they will host the Army Prep team on Sunday, February 25 at 12 PM.