COLUMBIA, Md. - The top-seeded Harford women's lacrosse team (14-3) dropped the 2016 NJCAA Region XX Final on Sunday to No. 2 Howard, 15-12. The Fighting Owls couldn't defeat the Dragons for the third time this year.

The Dragons took a 10-6 lead into the break thanks to a pair of five-goal spurts and a 13-4 advantage in draw controls. The Fighting Owls have won the draw control battle 14 times in 17 games this season, but the severe disadvantage for control was the differense in the outcome.

Lauren Haggerty, who leads the nation in both goals and draw controls, finished the Region XX Championship game with four goals and six draw controls. She has 72 goals and 183 draw controls on the year.

Cassidy Jones had four goals and three assists for a game-high seven points. She leads the nation with 62 assists. The Haggerty-Jones connection has collected 93 and 91 points on the season, the top-two totals in Harford history.

Danielle Hurley found the back of the net twice and Megan Aro recorded three points on a goal and two assists. Allie Storke made seven saves in the loss.

The Fighting Owls now face defending national champion Monroe CC on Saturday in the NJCAA National Semifinals at Monroe, Harford's fourth consecutive trip to the Final Four.