Richland Advances to 10th Straight Championship Game with OT Win

HERKIMER, N.Y. – Alex Valdez scored nine minutes into overtime Friday to send Dallas College Richland men's soccer team past Finger Lakes Community College 2-1 in the National Junior College Athletic Association Division III semifinals.

Richland (13-2-1) advances to Sunday's 5:30 p.m. national championship against Mohawk Valley Community College (15-3-1). It will be a rematch of the last two national title matches, with each team winning one.

Richland will be playing in its 10^th straight national championship game.

Valdez scored on an assist from Edgar Chavelas in the 99^th minute to break the 1-1 deadlock. It was his third goal of the season. It was the only shot in overtime.

The Thunderducks outshot Finger Lakes 12-0 in the first half, and took a 1-0 lead when Sebastian Gonzalez found the back of the net in the 39^th minute. It was his third goal of the year.

Finger Lakes (18-2-1) tied the game less than three minutes into the second half when Bautista Suarez scored on an assist from Owen Schuessler.

Richland outshot Finger Lakes 13-3 in the second half. The Thunderducks finished the game with 26 shots, including 15 on goal.

It was the Thunderducks' first overtime game of the season.