COLUMBIA, MD - The reigning NJCAA National Champions, Harford Community College Fighting Owls,kicked off their season by traveling to the #5 ranked Howard Community College Dragons. It was an early season match up between the two local rivals and a much anticipated start for the 2024 lacrosse season. Both teams are expected to be in the hunt for a National Championship bid and a chance for a national title.
Harford came out strong in the first quarter with 5 goals in 8 minute with goals by Ethan Petersen, Caleb Haire, Kohl Wesner, Peyton Gestole and Blane Dail. Howard's Cyrus Frid-Denikos put the Dragons on the board with 4 minutes remaining in the quarter. Haire, Wesner, and Dail would add their second goals of the game before the 1st quarter ended and put the Fighting Owls up 8-2. The scoring ways would continue for Wesner, Dail, and Petersen as they added another goal each midway through the 2nd. After a couple Dragon goals, the Fighting Owls went into halftime with a 12-5 lead.
The Harford lead proved to be too much for Howard. All American Alex Epple shut out the Dragons in the second half, stopping all 8 shots in the half. With Epple holding off the Dragon offense, the Fighting Owl offense continued to find the net in the 2nd half. Wesner and Dail added a goal each while Liam Forsyth netted two goals on route to an 18-5 victory. The win runs the Harford streak to lucky #13. Up next for the Fighting Owls, they will host Mercer County Community College on March 9th for the home opener.