Thunderducks Win 44th Straight Conference Game, Secure NJCAA Tourney Berth

LANCASTER, Texas – Dallas College Richland's No. 2 nationally-ranked men's soccer team wrapped up its fifth straight Dallas Athletic Conference regular season title Wednesday, following a 2-0 win at Dallas College Cedar Valley. 

The Thunderducks (8-3-1, 4-0-0 DAC) have not lost to a conference opponent since falling to then-Mountain View College, 2-1, on Oct. 14, 2009. That's a run of 44 consecutive league victories, dating back to when Richland competed in the Metro Athletic Conference. 

Wednesday's victory gives the Thunderducks the automatic berth into the national tournament as the National Junior College Athletic Association Division III Region V champion. The NJCAA Division III Tournament is scheduled for Nov. 8-12 in Gastonia, North Carolina. 

Felipe Escorcia had a goal and an assist, scoring on a corner kick in the 45th minute. He found Giuseppe Constantino eight minutes into the second half for the backbreaking goal. 

It was the first gamewinning goal of the season for Escorcia, who now has two in his Thunderducks career. He has four goals and 15 assists for 23 points this year. 

Constantino has five goals this year. 

Richland outshot Cedar Valley, 16-1, on goal, forcing Suns goalkeeper Angel Rogers to make a season-high 14 saves. Thunderducks keeper Arath Valdez stopped one shot. 

Richland will finish the regular season 6 p.m. Friday at home against Paris Junior College. The Thunderducks have won the last five NJCAA Division III national championships.