Richland Clinches DAC Regular Season Title

LANCASTER, Texas – Dallas College Richland men's soccer team clinched the Dallas Athletic Conference regular season title Wednesday with its 6-0 win at Dallas College Cedar Valley.

The victory gives Richland a semifinal bye in the three-team National Junior College Athletic Association Division III South District Tournament Oct. 31-Nov. 1. The Thunderducks will host the district tournament, marking the first time the Dallas Athletic Conference will stage the postseason tournament.

The win over Cedar Valley is the 47^th straight conference win for the Thunderducks, dating back to a 2-1 loss to then-Mountain View College Oct. 14, 2009.

Richland (7-1, 3-0 DAC) has not allowed a goal in the three conference games this season, outscoring its opponents, 15-0. The Thunderducks, ranked No. 1 in the NJCAA Division III poll, have one more league game remaining this season. They host Mountain View 6 p.m. Wednesday on Pack the Field Night. A tailgate party is planned, and pizza will be served.

In Wednesday's victory, Jose Diaz scored twice, and Joseph Min had a goal and three assists. Giuseppe Costantino had a goal and an assist. Aubry Eason and Valerio Del Mastro scored one goal apiece.

The Thunderducks outshot the Suns, 19-7. Richland goalkeeper Emmanuel Carmona (7-1-0) made three saves in securing his sixth shutout this season. Cedar Valley starting keeper Joel Aldama (0-2-0) stopped three shots, while playing the first 20 minutes. Hector Perales made two saves, playing the final 70 minutes for the Suns (4-3-1, 0-2-1).

Diaz scored the game's first goal in the 19^th minute on an assist from Enrique Alvarez. Min made it 2-0 in the 32^nd minute, cashing in on a pass from Costantino. The Thunderducks led 2-0 at halftime.

Diaz has six goals, including two game winners this season. Min has a team-leading 10 goals and six assists for 26 points.

Diaz netted his second goal in the 61st minute on a setup from Min to make it 3-0. Eight minutes later, Eason found the back of the net for the first time this season on an assist from Min.

In the 77^th minute, Costantino stretched the lead to five goals on Min's third assist of the game. Del Mastro scored 10 minutes later to tack one on. It was Del Mastro's second goal of the season. Costantino has five goals and two assists.

Richland, which has won three straight – all by shutout – will host Hill College (1-10-2) in a nonconference game 2 p.m. Friday.