Columbia, MD - In one of the most anticipated soccer games in Howard Community College history, the HCC Dragons defeated the #8 nationally ranked CCBC Essex Knights 3-2 on Thursday to clinch the #1 seed in the Region 20 playoffs!

Behind two goals from Kiar Sani (Addis Ababa, Ethiopia/St. Ragueal Church), the Dragons snagged victory from the Knights to claim their first win against a ranked team this season and their conference-leading 13th win of the year! Howard's victory ensured the Dragons would win the MDJUCO championships for 2025, and puts them as the #1 seed for the Region 20 playoffs scheduled to start this weekend!

Sani got the Dragons on the board early, scoring off a nifty pass from Bryan Barrientos (Catonsville, MD/Catonsville). Essex would respond ij the 33rd minute as Rahiem Wright-Keizer buried a deep shot, and Philippe Oliveria made it 2-1 Knights after scoring off a Wright-Keizer assist. Just before the half, the Dragons tied the contest on a beautiful lob from Yeabsira Tesfaye (Addis Ababa, Ethiopia/St. Ragueal Church).

The contest became a defensive struggle in the second half, with neither team managing to score deep into the period. Sani finally squeaked one past Essex's keeper Jacob Peace in the 86th minute to give the Dragons a 3-2 lead. Howard would hold onto that lead, emerging from the battle with the #1 seed in the Region!

The Dragons will find out their first round opponent after Tuesday's final matches. Whoever they face will take on the Dragons at 2:00 PM on Saturday, October 25 at Dragon Stadium!