Richland Wins Double OT Thriller in National Semifinals

BATAVIA, N.Y. – Jason Rivera scored with 3:38 remaining in double overtime, lifting Dallas College Richland men's soccer team to a 3-2 win over previously unbeaten Camden County College in the National Junior College Athletic Association Division III semifinals Friday.

The top-ranked Thunderducks (14-2-0) will play third-seeded and No. 7-ranked Mohawk Valley Community College (13-2-3) for their seventh consecutive national championship 3 p.m. CT Sunday at Genesee Community College. Richland has won 12 NJCAA Division III titles in program history. Sunday's national championship will air on the NJCAA Network. Live Stats are also available.

Alan Rivera sent the game to overtime when he cracked a lazer into the upper left corner of the net with 1:46 left in regulation to tie the match at 2-2. Jason Rivera had the assist on the goal.

Jason Rivera's game winner in the 107^th minute came on an assist from Thunderducks goalkeeper Emmanuel Carmona.

Camden County (15-1-0) took a 1-0 lead in the 11^th minute on a goal by Elias Hurt. Enrique Alvarez tied the game for Richland in the 31^st minute, scoring off an assist from Alan Rivera.

The Cougars, who won a game, 33-0, earlier this season, regained the lead in the 42^nd minute on Felipe Falivene's goal. Marius Schottler drew the assist. Alan Rivera's goal tied it in the 89^th minute.

Jason Rivera's goal was Richland's lone shot in the two overtime periods.

Carmona finished with three saves. Camden keeper Jakob Baumert stopped nine shots.

The Thunderducks outshot the Cougars, 19-12, including a 9-5 differential on goal.

Camden defender Ole Anders Themsfeldt's header with 12 seconds left in the first overtime hit the post. Three minutes earlier, Paul Kohler sent a shot high for the Cougars.

In the 59^th minute, Richland's Giuseppe Costantino's shot was stopped by Baumert. Ten minutes later, Alan Rivera put another shot on goal that was saved by the Cougars keeper.

Carmona stopped a shot by Hirt in the 76^th minute to keep it a one-goal game. Richland's Joseph Min had a shot blocked a minute later. In the 78^th minute Carmona made another save on Camden's Juan Perelli. Simone Pitale's shot for the Thunderducks at the end of the 79th minute went right. Min had another shot blocked 30 seconds later, with Richland still down a goal.

Alan Rivera's header off Alvarez's corner kick to begin the 82nd minute missed right. Julian Vega's shot in the 83^rd minute was saved by Baumert.

Four minutes after the final substitution in regulation, the Riveras connected for the tying goal.

Richland beat Mohawk Valley, 4-0, in last year's national championship game.