Bel Air, MD - The #2 ranked Harford Fighting Owls jumped out early and never looked back, handing #1 ranked Howard Community College a 21-9 loss on April 3. This is just the second loss of the season for the Dragons, both of which came from Harford and occurs just days after the Dragons earned the #1 ranking in the national polls for the first time since 2022.

Harford set the tone immediately, scoring five unanswered goals in the opening quarter behind a fast-paced offense led by Trent Mooradian and Cody MacNeil. Mooradian netted a hat trick in the first period alone, while MacNeil added two goals as Howard struggled to slow the early surge and trailed 5-0 after one.

The second quarter saw more of the same, as Harford extended its lead to 10-2 by halftime. George Shonfeld played a key role during the stretch, contributing both as a scorer and facilitator, while Harford capitalized on extra-man opportunities to widen the gap. Howard's offense showed brief life with goals from Lukas Rozon (Ottawa, ON/Citadelle) and John Stubbs (Catonsville, MD/Boys Latin), but the deficit remained steep.

After the break, Harford continued to apply pressure, pushing the lead to 15-2 midway through the third quarter. However, Howard responded with its best run of the game, scoring four straight goals late in the period. William Pesce (Derwood, MD/Col. Zadok Magruder) and Bobby Pupich (Huntley, IL/Huntley) each found the net during the surge, helping the Dragons close the gap to 15-6 heading into the fourth.

Any momentum was short-lived, as Harford answered with a strong final quarter, outscoring Howard 6-3 to seal the victory. Mooradian finished with a game-high six goals, while Shonfeld added four goals and five assists to lead a balanced Harford attack that produced 21 goals on 48 shots.

For Howard, Pesce, Pupich, Stubbs, and Rozon each scored twice, while Logan Foust (Ellicott City, MD/Mt. Hebron) contributed a goal and three assists. Despite the offensive contributions, the Dragons were outshot 48-30 and struggled in clearing situations, finishing 9-of-17 on clears.

Defensively, goalkeeper Lewis Collora (Columbia, MD/Wilde Lake) made 10 saves for Howard, but Harford's efficiency, especially in man-up situations where they went 5-for-10, proved to be the difference.

With the loss, Howard Community College falls to 6-2 overall and 0-1 in conference play, while Harford improves to 7-1 and remains unbeaten in league action.

The Dragons will look to rebound when they travel to Anne Arundel on Friday, April 10 at 5 PM. The Riverhawks are currently 4-3 on the season and 0-1 in regional play after a 20-15 loss to CCBC Essex in early March.