Richland Seizes Sixth Straight National Title

GASTONIA, N.C. – Shake down the Thunder again.

Dallas College Richland's men's soccer won its sixth straight National Junior College Athletic Association Division III national championship Sunday, beating Mohawk Valley Community College, 4-0.

It is the No. 2-ranked Thunderducks' 12th national title in program history – the most in NJCAA Division III history. It is also the most in any NJCAA division history. Herkimer College has 10 national titles.

Luis Vargus scored in the 18th minute to spot the Thunderducks a 1-0 lead. Joseph Min assisted on the goal. In the 27th minute, Richland struck again when Felipe Escorcia hit the back of the net.

Valerio Del Mastro made it 3-0 on a setup from Min in the 67th minute. Vargus scored again in the 81st minute to extend the lead to four goals.

Vargus notched his 17th and 18th goals of the season, the most on the Thunderducks' team.

Richland outshot the Hawks, 9-2, in the first half. The Thunderducks held a 24-2 shot differential for the game, and did not allow Mohawk Valley to attempt a shot in the second half.

The Thunderducks, who finished the season with a 12-3-1 record, did not allow a goal in Gastonia. Richland goalkeeper Arath Valdez needed to make just one stop in the title game. It was his fifth shutout of the season. He also combined on four clean sheets.

Mohawk Valley keeper Jaime Mata made seven saves. The Thunderducks had an 11-1 shots on goal advantage.

Richland blanked the last six opponents it lined up against, and finished the season with 10 shutouts.