BEL AIR, Md. – The Harford men's soccer team earned a spot in the NJCAA Region 20 Division I Championship match with a 2-0 semifinal victory over Hagerstown Community College last night at the Harford Sports Complex. The Fighting Owls controlled possession from start to finish, using steady defensive pressure and a balanced attack to advance.

Harford struck early when sophomore forward Samuel Dragunas (C. Milton Wright) scored in the 16th minute to put the Fighting Owls in front.

"We were having a tough time scoring I the opening 15 minutes of play," Dragunas said." Cristian [Lopez-Contreras] played me a ball and I saw Chris [Guyot] running into the box and thought I'd float a ball in. It wasn't my best cross bet the keeper was off his line and it just found its way into the top corner of the goal."

The goal came after a period of sustained pressure, as Harford's midfield frequently won second balls and kept the Hawks pinned in their defensive half.

"I saw a player do what we've been asking the team to do more of and that's ask some questions and put a ball into a dangerous area," said Harford head coach Bill Wardle. "Whether it's a shot on goal or something into the second six, be more aggressive. We're often waiting for the perfect opportunity to score, but Sam took what was given to him and sent in a really nice ball."

The Fighting Owls generated 10 shots before halftime while allowing only two, neither of which threatened the goal.

Harford continued to dictate tempo after the break. The Fighting Owls pushed the pace in wide areas, maintained strong spacing in the midfield and continued to win 50-50 challenges. Harford outshot Hagerstown 30-3 overall and held a 9-0 advantage in corner kicks, reflecting its consistent presence in the attacking third.

Despite generating several promising chances throughout the second half, Harford did not add to its lead until late in the match. In the 82nd minute, freshman forward David Amador (Edgewood) provided the insurance goal, finishing confidently to make it 2-0. The goal allowed Harford to comfortably manage possession through the final minutes and secure the shutout.

Defensively, Harford was sharp and composed throughout the match. The back line effectively limited service into dangerous areas and disrupted Hagerstown's buildup attempts before they could develop. Goalkeeper Nick Cannon (Easter Tech) earned the clean sheet, stepping up to handle the few opportunities that reached his end.

The Fighting Owls' defensive shape forced Hagerstown to settle for low-percentage attempts and prevented the Hawks from finding rhythm in open play.

I've found, especially when you get into playoffs, goals are harder to come by," Wardle said. "As a result, we want to make sure we make it more difficult to score on us. Sometimes you need to focus on shutting out the other team and trust you'll get a goal one way or another."

On the attacking side, Harford created scoring threats through patient passing combinations, overlapping runs and strong link play between midfield and the front line.

Dragunas led the charge early, constantly pressuring the final third, while Amador and others provided energy and movement off the bench to maintain the team's momentum. Midfielders Cristian Lopez-Contreras (Chambersburg, Pa.) and Lucas Britos (Liberty) helped dictate pace and circulate possession, contributing to a performance that kept the Owls on the front foot for most of the afternoon.

The win continues Harford's strong run of form as the team moves deeper into postseason competition. The Fighting Owls have emphasized balanced play and tactical discipline throughout the year, and Wednesday's performance reflected both. Harford showed the ability to control possession, generate scoring chances through build-up play and remain organized when defending leads.

Harford also demonstrated maturity in managing the match's physical and competitive moments. When tensions rose late in the first half, the Fighting Owls remained composed and did not allow momentum to shift.

The team's depth was also a factor, as fresh legs in the second half helped sustain pressure and close out the match.

The Fighting Owls now advance to the NJCAA Region 20 Division I Championship game, where they will compete for a regional title against Montgomery College on Saturday, at 3 p.m.