Columbia, MD - In a wild back-and-forth opening day game, the Howard Community College Dragons defeated the Army Prep Black Knights 23-19.

Behind seven goals from freshman John Stubbs (Catonsville, MD/Boys Latin) and six goals from freshman Logan Foust (Ellicott City, MD/Mt. Hebron), the Dragons built a nine-goal lead deep into the second half before holding off a furious Army Prep comeback. The Dragons dominated the flow of the game, recording 49 ground balls and committing only nine turnovers. Howard overcame several man-down situations, out-shooting the Black Knights 45-33 and winning 28 of the 43 face offs.

Both teams took turns with the lead in the opening minutes of the first. Stubbs and William Pesce (Derwood, MD/Col. Zadok Magruder) both scored their first career goals, with Stubbs netting the first goal of the season for the Dragons. An Army Prep run got the Black Knights out to a 6-3 lead, but two quick Logan Foust (Ellicott City, MD/Mt. Hebron) goals made it a one-score game after the first quarter.

Foust continued to torch Army's defense in the second quarter, scoring two more goals to bring his total to four. Army's attackers didn't let up, bringing the Black Knights to a 9-7 lead with seven minutes to go. Army had a chance to expand their lead further when they Howard penalties resulted in a two-man down situation, but the Dragons defense held on. Goalie Jason Dean (Bristow, VA/Brentsville District) made several breathtaking saves to keep the deficit at two, and in the final minute Foust, Pesce, and Stubbs all scored to give Hoard an 11-9 lead.

The third quarter was all Dragons, with nine goals hitting the net. Stubbs was everywhere, scoring four goals himself in a one-man show. The Dragons spread the love, allowing Caiden Hawlk (Dover, DE/Red Lion), Mason Ambrose (Eldersburg, MD/Liberty), Mitchell Dua (Mount Airy, MD/Loyola Blakefield), and Jameson Smith (Sykesville, MD/Century) to all score their first goals of the season. Hawlk made arguably the defensive play of the game when he knocked an Army attackers stick right out of his hands seconds after subbing into the game. Howard led 20-12 after the third, firmly in control of the game.

Four unanswered goals by the Black Knights brought the game right back to a shootout. With eleven minutes to go, the Dragons found themselves in a two-man down situation due to a pair of unsportsmanlike conduct penalties. But Army also had a man in the box, and the Dragons took advantage when Mitchell Dua (Mount Airy, MD/Loyola Blakefield) broke through to score. Army clawed back to within three, only for sneaky goals from Joshua Gull (Ijamsville, MD/Oakdale) and Pesce reestablished Howard's lead. Army ran out of time, with Isaac Rhoderick (Clear Spring, MD/Smithsburg) winning a crucial final face off to seal the win.

Stubbs finished the game with seven goals and seven points on 15 shots, with 13 being on goal. Foust scored ten points with six goals, four assists, eight shots and six shots on goal. Pesce had three goals and one assist for four points on six shots (three of which were on goal). James Scott (Allentown, PA/Parkland) won 15 of his 21 face offs and led the team with seven ground balls, while Isaac Rhoderick (Clear Spring, MD/Smithsburg) won 12 of his 20 face offs. Nolan Emmett (Mechanicsville, VA/Atlee) recorded one goal and two assists with six ground balls, and Jack Feys (Poolesville, MD/Poolesville) and Caiden Hawlk (Dover, DE/Red Lion) each caused two turnovers.

The Dragons face a major test next week as they play #5 Genessee Community College at 1:00 PM on Sunday, March 2.