The Dallas College Richland men’s soccer team finished as the NJCAA Division III runner-up, falling 2-1 in overtime to Mohawk Valley Community College in Sunday’s championship match.
Richland, a powerhouse in NJCAA Division III soccer, has now competed in the last nine national title matches, winning seven of them. With 12 national championships in program history, the Thunderducks remain one of the most dominant teams in collegiate soccer, though this year marks their fifth runner-up finish in 20 tournament appearances.
The tightly contested final saw Mohawk Valley strike first in the 16th minute, with Tony Gjomemo converting a setup from Davi Pena Moretzsohn. The Thunderducks leveled the score early in the second half when Joseph Min found the back of the net off an assist from Alan Rivera. Min’s goal, his third of the tournament and 18th of the season, earned him the Offensive Player of the Tournament honor.
Richland dominated possession in the second half, outshooting Mohawk Valley 9-2, but neither team could break the deadlock before regulation ended.
Just under four minutes into overtime, Souayibou Diop delivered the game-winning goal for the Hawks, assisted by Santiago Molina Villafane.
Richland goalkeeper Emmanuel Carmona recorded two saves, while Mohawk Valley’s Jaime Mata stopped three shots in a closely contested match.
Both teams had four shots on target, but Richland created more overall chances, finishing with 13 total shots to the Hawks’ seven.
Carmona and Rivera joined Min on the All-Tournament Team, highlighting Richland’s standout performers throughout the competition. Despite falling just short of another title, the Thunderducks’ season showcased their consistent resilience, further solidifying their legacy in NJCAA soccer. For more information, visit njcaaregion5.com.
