Defensive Essex Knocks Howard Out in NJCAA Quarterfinals

Essex, MD - The #3 seeded CCBC Essex Knights defeated the #6 seeded Howard Dragons 9-6 in the NJCAA national tournament quarterfinals as the Knights will keep their championship hopes alive.

The Essex defense was immaculate on the day, shutting Howard out in the first quarter and giving up just two goals in the first half. The trio of Eric Smith, Jackson Ryan, and Thomas Barton led the way for the Knights' defense to hold Howard to just 14 shots on goal, of which goalkeeper Colin Parker saved eight to earn his 12th win of the season between the pipes for Essex.

Ezekiel Lomax was the first to get on the board as he dodged his defender and finished on a low shot four minutes into the game. Lomax would double the lead two minutes later as great ball movement starting from behind the Howard goal allowed Matthew Benzing to find Lomax for a catch and shoot goal.

After Howard scored early in the second quarter following 18 minutes of scoreless play, the Knights answered back late in the second quarter as Benzing was able to work inside of the Dragons defense to finish from close range. 

Connor Anderson provided the highlight reel play early in the third quarter as he received a pass from Kyle Morrison and bounced a behind-the-back shot into the net to increase the Essex lead. Howard responded back with a couple of goals late in the third quarter to tie the game at 4-4.

Essex scored right out of the gates in the fourth quarter as Brian McGarvey won the face-off cleanly and ran down the field to score and regain the lead. The two teams continued to exchange goals back and forth as Howard tied the game once again two minutes later. After a Howard turnover at midfield, Benzing instinctively restarted play quickly to allow a fast break that Peyton Moritzen dunked in from point blank range to regain the lead. 

Howard tied the game up at 6-6 two minutes later, but it was the Knights with an immediate answer as Lomax finished his hat trick with a shot into the top left corner. Lomax made it four less than a minute later as he blew through three defenders to score low and give the Knights a big insurance goal. Anderson scored his second of the game a few minutes later to put the game away as the Essex defense would hold the line for the final eight minutes. 

The face-off duo of McGarvey and Max Johnson combined to win 16-19 with McGarvey winning all nine of his face-offs to help the Knights defeat Howard for a third time on the season.

CCBC Essex advances to the national semifinals where they will take on the #2 seed Nassau Lions on Saturday, May 10 at 4 PM on the campus of Harford Community College. The Knights played Nassau to a thrilling 12-8 loss back on March 29 in a regular season battle at Essex.