Essex, MD - Howard Community College captured the regional championship Sunday afternoon with a commanding 14-9 victory over Harford Community College at CCBC Essex, using a fast start and timely second-half scoring surge to secure the title. The #2 seeded Dragons were able to upset the #1 seed Fighting Owls after losing two Harford twice in the regular season. This was the Dragons first Region 20 championship since 2018 when they had won back-to-back championships.

The Dragons wasted little time setting the tone, scoring the game's first three goals in the opening five minutes. William Pesce opened the scoring in the first minute of the game, Lukas Rozon followed moments later, and Bobby Pupich made it 3-0 before Harford was able to get an offensive possession. Howard continued to apply pressure, adding goals from Quinn Brennan while man-down and Rozon late in the quarter to carry a 5-1 lead after one period.

Harford responded in the second quarter, trimming the deficit to 5-3 and later 7-5 behind a pair of power-play tallies. But Howard answered each run, with John Stubbs and Pesce finding the net to preserve a two-goal cushion heading into halftime with defenseman Evan Tubb assisting the the latter.

The Dragons seized control in the third quarter. After being held scoreless in the first half, Logan Foust scored eight seconds into the second half, then added another later in the frame as Howard outscored Harford 4-2 in the period. Vinnie Volpe and Brandon Klopp also netted third-quarter goals, pushing the advantage to 11-7 entering the final 15 minutes.

Harford made one last push in the fourth, cutting the margin to 12-9 with just under 10 minutes to play. Howard responded with the dagger when Foust scored off a feed from Volpe with 2:21 remaining, and Rozon added the final goal with six seconds left to seal the championship win.

Lewis Collora played the game of his life, making 16 saves including a spectacular save when he was 15 yards away from his crease as he was able to snag away the long distance shot.

Rozon led Howard with four goals, while Foust totaled five points on three goals and two assists. Pesce added two goals and two assists, and Volpe chipped in a goal and an assist. Pupich recorded a goal and an assist, while Tubb added two assists.

The Dragons defense was at its finest in the game, as the trio of JT Ferguson, Shane Dubois, and Kobe Brown played their best game of the season. Combined with the efforts of defensive midfielders including Tubb, Joseph Wolfe, Nico Sells, Dominic Damico, Mason Suazo, and Wade Davis, Howard controlled key statistical categories, holding a 60-37 edge in ground balls while forcing 23 turnovers.

Howard also got the job done in the face-off circle, winning 17 of 27 face-offs led by Marcello Ioco who went 11-for-17 while Ethan Sands won 5-9. The face-off wings were instrumental as well, with Davis scooping up nine ground balls in the game, Sells picked up six, and Tubb added another five

The Dragons saw seven players earn tournament awards, with Tubb, Foust, Pesce, Brown, and Ferguson earning a spot on the all-tournament team. Collora was named the defensive MVP for his phenomenal game between the pipes and Rozon earned offensive MVP honors with nine goals between the semifinal and final games.

With the victory, Howard Community College claimed the regional crown and improved to 10-2 on the season. Now all eyes turn to the national committee as the Dragons wait to see where they will be seeded in the national tournament.