Columbia, MD - Excitement was in the air at Howard Community College last Wednesday, as everyone in the stands knew the challenge ahead. Across the midfield line stood the undefeated, top-ranked squad from Harford Community College, the #1 team in the region and the defending national champions.
On this night, rankings didn't seem to matter. From the opening faceoff, Howard came out faster than anyone expected, scoring three early goals to take a 3-0 lead. John Stubbs (Catonsville, MD/Boys Latin) was responsible for two of the first three and finished the game with a season high six goals, shouldering the scoring for the Dragons. The Hawks' midfield pushed the pace,and were able to score a goal to make it 3-1 quickly afterwards. The Dragons, helped by one of four assists from Logan Foust (Ellicott City, MD/Mt. Hebron), started another three-goal run, two dealt by the hands of Lukas Rozon (Ottawa, ON/Citadelle) to start the second quarter. Rozon was tied with Quinn Brennan (Kingsville, ON/Kingsville District) on the Dragons squad with three goals a piece. Lewis Collora (Columbia, MD/Wilde Lake) made miraculous saves throughout the game, which is what kept the Dragons in command. He finished with twelve saves on the night.
The Dragons looked flawless in the opening two quarters, using teamwork, grit, and strong defense to put the Fighting Owls in a tough spot. Closing in on halftime the Dragons controlled the match up by six goals until an intense goal from Harford with only eleven seconds left cut the score to 4-9, leaving hope with the Owls. The top team in Harford showed why they were ranked #1, moving the ball with crisp passes and finishing from the crease into the lead. In the third quarter they scored four goals, more than the entire first half, leaving the score at 8-13 at the end of three.
The fourth quarter became a battle of endurance. Every ground ball turned into a collision. Sticks clashed. Players dove across the turf. Down five goals the Owls flipped a switch and scored two quick goals, Harford was able to take advantage almost every time they earned a man up situation. Still down 10-14 and unfazed, the Owls started their run, scoring five straight to take the lead for the first time all game. That goal was met with a response from John Stubbs (Catonsville, MD/Boys Latin) that tied the game up 15-15. Howard cleared the ball and nearly ended it themselves, but Harford's goalie made a diving save that kept the Owls alive. With light expiring, the game headed to overtime.
The teams circled midfield for the faceoff with light expiring. Harford's Colin Inman won possession first, but the Dragons wouldn't budge. The defense held firm from both sides in the extra period and neither team gained an advantage. This storybook game would continue for a second extra period.
In Double Overtime the tension was even higher, Colin Inman won yet another faceoff, but the Dragons would commit a crucial illegal body check penalty which would put the Owls in a man-up situation. Harford took advantage of those situations all game, and right on cue a heartbreaking goal from Hugo Peel sealed the deal on an legendary game.
The Dragons stood still for a moment, hands on their helmets. They had pushed the #1 team from Harford Community College further than anyone all season. Even in defeat, Howard had proven something that night. They had proved they could fly with the best.
Howard will return to the field Wednesday, March 11 against Anne Arundel Community College at 4:00 PM.
