Men's Soccer Honored at Ring Ceremony for National Championship

Jonathan Gallardo and Samuele Muroni interview

Head men's soccer coach Raul Herrera interview

Duck quacks were resounding in the background. It was a reason to be loud and celebrate.

Dallas College Richland men's soccer team was honored for its 2021 National Junior College Athletic Association Division III National Championship at a ring ceremony in El Paso Hall on campus Tuesday.

"It's a big moment to give the kids the recognition they deserve," Thunderducks head coach Raul Herrera said.

Richland went 17-0-1 last season to claim its fourth consecutive national title – an unprecedented feat in NJCAA history. The Thunderducks have 10 national championships to their name.

"I think it's great for the program, putting Richland on the map," Richland assistant coach Alberto Rodriguez said. "For the past five years, we've been transferring out players to the (NCAA) DI, DII, NAIA schools on full rides. It just shows the work and dedication these players, the coaching staff is putting in to be able to have a successful season, to have a successful past four years. It's honestly humbling to be a part of it."

Herrera and Rodriguez have been on the receiving end of title euphoria as players and coaches at Richland. In fact, the two played together on the 2006 NJCAA championship team. Now they are helping others mirror those accomplishments, and doing so repeatedly.

"It's good and bad that we have such a high turnover, being a two-year school because we're able to install the attitude that we want our players to have, keeping them hungry," Rodriguez said. "The ones that stay with us for the second year, and then teaching the new ones that 'You're not just going to show up, and there's going to be a ring in your hand.' It's hard work and dedication. Letting them know, 'Hey, you're at Richland now. Everyone wants to beat you.'"

Sophomore center midfielders Jonathan Gallardo and Samuele Muroni know that feeling, having helped the Thunderducks win it all last year. They're back to try to defend their title this season.

"It feels amazing, really amazing," Gallardo said, "especially because we're the only one to win four times in a row. Now we're looking for the fifth one."

The Thunderducks opened this season with a 3-0 victory over Louisiana State University-Eunice at the University of Texas at Tyler Saturday. Richland hosts Coastal Bend College 7 p.m. Friday in the home opener.

"We have to keep this legacy, and tell it to the other guys that Richland is a winning team," Muroni said. "And we have to keep this mentality."

It's a foundational culture that began in 2002 when the Thunderducks claimed their first title. They rattled off three in a row twice during a span of seven years until 2008, while advancing to the championship match every year. Now they are on another run – one they hope culminates with smiles again in November.

"Coming to Richland, we call it the land of opportunity," Herrera said. "Kids come in from all over the world, and kids come from here in Dallas."

For those who've stayed home to collect rings, it sure has … well … a nice ring to it.

"I honestly don't wear 'em much, but when I get to, it's honestly something to be proud of," Rodriguez said. "Being able to represent Richland and the soccer (team), being able to tell the story to everybody that comes up to me, and, 'Hey, what is that ring for? What did you win?' Letting them know, 'Hey, the past four years, we haven't lost a game.' Being able to win championships off of that is just great. It's humbling, it's exciting, and that's why we're here. We're here for another one."