Cumberland, MD - Tuesday night's men's soccer clash saw the first real test of the season for the Howard Community College Dragons, as HCC narrowly beat the Allegany College of Maryland Trojans 3-1.

The Dragons were held under four goals for the first time this season in a gritty, defensive contest. While their usual offensive output was put on the back burner, the Dragons still managed to out-shoot the Trojans 20-5.

Bryan Barrientos (Catonsville, MD/Catonsville) got the scoring underway early in the first half to make it 1-0, but an Allegany strike got past keeper Jonathan Sanchez (Ellicott City, MD/Mount Hebron) to make it 1-1 in the 20th minute. Just before the half, Howard managed to pull ahead off a goal from Denny Mora (Hyattsville, MD/Northwestern) to take a 2-1 halftime lead.

The second half continued to be a defensive showdown, with the Trojans proving to be a much tougher opponent than expected. With Allegany threatening late, the Dragons put the game away off a Yeabsira Tesfaye (Addis Ababa, Ethiopia/St. Ragueal Church) goal, courtesy of a Barrientos pass. The late goal clinched a 3-1 win for the Dragons and a perfect 6-0 start to the season.

Tesfaye led the Dragons with five shots, four shots on goal, and his late goal to break the Trojans hearts. Barrientos recorded three shots on goal, one goal, and the lone Dragons assist. Predrag Ilic (Nis, Serbia/Gymnasium Stevan Sremac) was able to get three shots off against stiff Trojan defense, while keeper Jonathan Sanchez (Ellicott City, MD/Mount Hebron) made three saves.

The Dragons next face Anne Arundel Community College on Thursday, September 18 at 7:00 PM in a rematch of last year's Region 20 quarterfinal game!