Thunderducks Repeat as South District Champs

DALLAS – Dallas College Richland repeated as National Junior College Athletic Association Division III South District champions. The No. 1-ranked Thunderducks beat Dallas College Mountain View 6-2 Saturday in the title game.

It sends The Thunderducks (11-2-1) back to the NJCAA Division III Tournament Nov. 11-16 in Herkimer, New York.

Richland, which has won 11 of its last district title game appearances, scored three goals in each half in a dominant offensive display.

Alexis Cruz had a hat trick, and Mazin Saeed scored two goals for the Thunderducks, who beat Mountain View (10-6-2) for the second straight year in the championship. Saeed had two goals in the first half, and Cruz added two of his own in the second.

The Lions got off to a quick start, cashing in on Samuel Bernardino's goal in the third minute. Bernardino bent a shot in to the short side upper corner from about 35 yards out. Blake Galvez had the assist.

Richland answered a minute later when Cruz danced through the middle, sidestepped the goalkeeper and finished with a soft touch to tie it.

The Lions jumped back ahead with just under 37 minutes remaining in the first half as Josue Moreno intercepted a clearing attempt just inside the midfield line and winded a shot off the Thunderducks diving keeper for a 2-1 lead.

Mountain View scored on its first two shots.

Saeed scored his first goal on a free kick in the 28^th minute to tie the game at 2-2. He put the Thunderducks up 3-2 when he picked up a rebound and chipped it over the Lions' keeper.

It was Saeed's second game winner of the season.

Cruz picked up his second goal in the 77^th minute when danced around defenders after a touch pass back from Luis Gallegos to make it 4-2. He gave the Thunderducks a three-goal lead after a takeaway deep in the Lions' third to complete the hat trick. It was his team-leading sixth goal of the year.

Romario Luviano added a goal in the final minute as he winded around to the top of the box before and cracked in his first goal into the lower left corner.

Richland outshot Mountain View 29-7. The Thunderducks had 17 shots on goal. The Lions had four.

Richland keeper Victor Gomez had two key second half saves. Mountain View's Bryan Umanzor had 11 saves.

It was the second straight game the Thunderducks scored six goals, and the third time this year.