Riverhawks Fall to Harford in Region Tournament Semi Final Game

The Details

            Final Score: Riverhawks 8, Harford Community College Fighting Owls 16

            Updated Records: AACC 8-4 overall, 2-1 conference. Fighting Owls 4-2 overall, 1-2 conference

            Location: Dragon Stadium, Howard Community College – Columbia, MD

            Box Score: Found here

            Media Gallery:

Game Notes

            The Riverhawk men's lacrosse team dropped, 16-8, in the NJCAA Region XX semi final game against the Fighting Owls of Harford Community College this past Thursday evening (4/26). With the tournament hosted by Howard Community College, the game was played in Dragon Stadium of the Howard campus in Columbia, Maryland.

            Play-off action kicked off with great intensity, as both teams kept fast pace play on each end of the field. Trevor Bellotte (Severna Park, MD/Severna Park) would make the heavy statement for the Riverhawks – putting the first point up on the scoreboard off an assist from Zachary Gussman (Lake Mary, FL/Lake Mary). Gussman would go on to solo a goal with Alecander Lunghi (Glen Burnie, MD/Old Mill) finishing from Dylan Morton (Annapolis, MD/Annapolis) just minutes later giving the Riverhawks a 3-0 lead over Harford. The Fighting Owls would sneak one by Riverhawk goalkeeper William Harrison (Lake Mary, FL/Lake Mary) in the remaining minute of the first quarter, getting them on the board, 3-1.

            The second quarter would favor in advantage for the Fighting Owls, as they were able to score three more over lone Riverhawk goal by Stephen Moheiser (Annapolis, MD/Annapolis). With a trip to the championship game on the line, the game was tied, 4-4, at halftime intermission.

            As the second began with another goal by Gussman, the two teams would trade points to once again tie the game up at 6-6. As play seemed relatively even matched up until this point, the Fighting Owls were able to go on a detrimental scoring drive. To round out the third quarter and starting out the fourth, Harford went on to score six unanswered goals taking a 12-6 lead. Morton would stop the Fighting Owl rally with his goal, assisted by William Dion (Annapolis, MD/Annapolis).

            With some unfortunate penalties, the Riverhawks were just unable to over come the deficit the Fighting Owls had created. Scoring four more, Harford would end with 16 on the day and with only Gussman's late man-up goal in the end – it was enough for Harford to earn the victory, 16-8.

            Nicholas Karnes (Catherine, VA/Battlefield) certainly did his part on the face-offs, winning 21-25 on the day. With Gussman leading with his 3 goals, Moheiser his 2, and Bellotte, Lunghi, and Morton each with 1. Harrison finished with 16 saves on the day.

            For their tournament performance – Zach Gussman, Chandler Harrison, and Nick Karnes were all named to the All-Region Tournament Team.

Up Next

            With the loss, the Riverhawk men's lacrosse season has ended for the 2017-18 year. With the win, the Harford Fighting Owls will advance to face the Howard Community College Dragons in the 2018 NJCAA Region 20 Championship game hosted at Howard on Sunday (4/29) at 1 pm.

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