ARNOLD, MD - The Dragons put up a great fight in the first half with a strong defensive effort, but ultimately fell to the #2 seed CCBC Essex Knights 13-3.

After an early goal from the Knights, the Dragons found a nice tying goal as Gianni Karam (Ellicott City, MD/Mount Hebron) found Joe Hathaway (New Market, MD/Oakdale). The Dragons took the lead a minute later as Braden Chaney (Sykesville, MD/South Carroll) made a big save followed by Rory Blanchard (New Market, MD/Oakdale) going coast to coast to score. Essex found a late goal in the last minute of the first quarter to make it tied up at 2-2 after the first period. The Knights kept the momentum going as the face-off specialist took the start of the second quarter as an opportunity to run down and score and take the lead back for Essex. 

The stifling Howard defense continued to play fantastic throughout the first half, keeping a strong Knights offense at bay while even adding a goal as defender Jameson Smith (Sykesville, MD/Century) fired into the net late in the second quarter to make it a 4-3 game. Unfortunately for the Dragons, the offense stalled out from there as Howard was shut out in the second half with Essex adding to their lead throughout the final 30 minutes.

Kobe Brown (Chicago, IL/Lakes Community) had another fantastic game with two ground balls and two caused turnovers to earn All-Tournament honors. Chaney made 16 saves in the game to also earn a spot on the All-Tournament team.

The Dragons will now have to wait and hope that they earn an at-large bid into the national tournament to extend their season.