Columbia, MD - Facing their second top-five opponent of the season, the Howard Community College Dragons came up just short in a 10-9 loss to Onondaga Community College.

The Dragons matched the Lazers goal-for-goal in the first half, tying the game at 7-7 early in the third. The game evolved into a defensive slug fest, with a late rally by Onondaga snapping the scoring drought. Despite two late goals by the Dragons, Howard was unable to overcome the deficit in time. The loss drops the Dragons to 2-2 on the season.

For the second time this season, the Dragons faced the #5-ranked team in the country. Much like their contest against Genesee, the Dragons kept things close through the opening quarter, answering every Lazer goal. Cyrus Frid-Denikos (Elkridge, MD/Howard) picked up where he left off, scoring the opening goal of the game off a pass from Mitchell Dua (Mount Airy, MD/Loyola Blakefield). After an immediate Onondaga response, the Dragons attackers got in on the scoring. William Pesce (Derwood, MD/Col. Zadok Magruder) tied things up at 2-2 off a pass from John Stubbs (Catonsville, MD/Boys Latin), and after an immediate response from the Lazers, Caiden Hawlk (Dover, DE/Red Lion) scored on a deep shot to tie the game once more. The Dragons wrapped up the first quarter with the lead, courtesy of a Mitchell Dua (Mount Airy, MD/Loyola Blakefield) goal.

Howard continued their momentum into the second quarter, scoring immediately off a deep shot from Jakai Butler (Columbia, MD/Vincent Pallotti). However, an immediate response from the Lazers kicked off a 13 minute scorless drought for the Dragons. Onondaga added three more goals to go up 7-5 with two minutes to go. Mitchell Dua (Mount Airy, MD/Loyola Blakefield) snapped the scoreless streak, hitting an unassisted shot to make it 7-6 at the half.

William Pesce's (Derwood, MD/Col. Zadok Magruder) second goal of the game made it a 7-7 contest, and would be the only goal of the quarter. Both goalies stepped up to shut down the opposing offenses, with Jacob Fifield and Lewis Collora (Columbia, MD/Wilde Lake) playing brilliantly in net. The dead heat continued into the fourth, until Onondaga finally broke through to score. Now trailing 8-7, the Dragons fell further behind when the Lazers scored on back-to-back goals with four minutes to go. William Pesce's (Derwood, MD/Col. Zadok Magruder) third goal of the game got Howard back into striking range, and with 13 seconds to go, Logan Foust (Ellicott City, MD/Mt. Hebron) scored to make it a one-goal game. Howard needed to win the face-off and immediately get a shot off for a chance to force overtime, but Onodaga's Hayden Kinsella bested Aidan Ro (Ellicott City, MD/Marriotts Ridge) for the ball and the game.

Pesce finished with three goals, three points, nine shots, five shots on goal, and two ground balls. Mitchell Dua (Mount Airy, MD/Loyola Blakefield) had an excellent day, scoring two goals, one assist, three points, four shots, three shots on goal, and two ground balls. John Stubbs (Catonsville, MD/Boys Latin) failed to score a goal for the first time this season, but did record three assists for three points, along with nine shots, two shots on goal, and four ground balls. Logan Foust (Ellicott City, MD/Mt. Hebron) had one goal, five shots, and two ground balls, while Cyrus Frid-Denikos (Elkridge, MD/Howard) scored one goal, three shots, and two shots on goal. Jackson Shekore (Mount Airy, MD/South Carroll) led the team with five ground balls, while Jakai Butler (Columbia, MD/Vincent Pallotti) had three. Jack Feys (Poolesville, MD/Poolesville) caused three turnovers and scooped up three ground balls. Aidan Ro (Ellicott City, MD/Marriotts Ridge) went 7-14 at the faceoff with three ground balls, while Isaac Rhoderick (Clear Spring, MD/Smithsburg) went 6-9. Lewis Collora (Columbia, MD/Wilde Lake) made 13 saves on the day.

The Dragons next face #1 ranked Harford Community College on Friday, March 21 at 7:00 PM.