BEL AIR, Md- In front of a massive and raucous crowd, the Harford women's soccer team put on quite a show in the second half as they were able to defeat the Essex Knights 3-2. The victory improves the Fighting Owls record to 5-1 on the season and moves the two opponents into a tie for 2nd place in the conference at 3-1.

The first half of this game was largely dominated by the home side as they piled on a number of shots from long distance. Despite living in the Knight's half of the field for much of the opening stanza, very few of their scoring opportunities were clear-cut chances. 

Meanwhile, Essex was not able to get a lot of build up play and was forced to utilize a lot of long balls on the counter attack to get any kind of pressure on the Harford defense. However, neither approach produced any goals in the opening 45 minutes.

The second half was a stark contrast to the scoreless first half as the action really started just five minutes after halftime. After three really good shots by Harford, the Knights came back on a counter attack and drew a foul inside the box to earn a penalty kick. Essex's Jenna Vogan hit a low shot that was saved by Kristan Shock, but the rebound came out to Emily DiMatteo who hit a long shot into the top of the net to give the Knights a shocking 1-0 lead. 

The next ten minutes were incredibly nervy for Harford fans, but they were soon able to enjoy one of the best goals in Harford history. With the Knights trying to work their way out of their own half, Alexandria Adams slide tackled the ball away, won it back a second time, dribbled through several defenders, and hit a great shot into the corner of the goal to tie the game. 

After that it was all Harford as more goals seemed a matter of when and not if. It was in the 74th minute that the breakthrough came as Chase Otenasek took the ball into the corner and was able to find Briana Stabile open at the top of the box and her one-time shot found the back of the net. 

Just four minutes later the Fighting Owls were able to earn a penalty kick of their own and Mackenzie Wills had no problem putting the ball in the goal to give Harford a needed insurance goal as Essex was able to score in the 89th minute to close the game out with Harford winning it 3-2.

The Fighting Owls won't get much time to celebrate as they get right back on the Harford Stadium turf on Sunday, September 25th to take on Monroe at 12 PM.