Batavia, NY-The Raritan Valley Lions ran into a buzzsaw on the campus of Genessee County College in the quarterfinal round of NJCAA Division III Men's Soccer Championship. Six time defending National Champion Dallas College-Richland lived up to the their billing as the #1 ranked team in the nation and the top seed in the tournament. RVCC put up a valiant effort all afternoon before succumbing to Dallas Richland, 7-2.
The Thunderducks got on the board early as Joseph Min got behind the Lions defense and slid a goal past SO Juan Orozco in the 4th minute of the contest. Dallas Richland's press and counter-attacking nature kept the pressure on the Lions for the majoity of the first half. The Thunder Ducks narrowly missed adding a second early goal in transition after a RVCC restart proved unsuccessful. In the 21st minute, Richland converted on a corner, credited to Enrique Alvarez. Six minutes later the Ducks added another goal, this time it was Alan Rivera with a pretty finish off of a cross from Joseph Min. Less than two minutes later the Lions answered and got on the board. FR Angel Cortes collected a cross from FR Charlie Geibel in the box, positioning himself to finish the goal with a shot in the bottom left corner. The Lions defense and especially the work of Orozco in net allowed the RVCC to stay in the game, and closed out the first half trailing, 3-1.
The second half started with a flurry of chances for both sides including a wonderful opportunity for the Lions right at the Richland penalty area that unfortunately sailed over the net. After ten minutes of back and forth play, The Thunder Ducks found the back of the net off a restart from thirty yards out as Valerio Del Mastro was able to his foot on a chip from Enrique Alvarez. RVCC found some real positive possession in the midfield over the next ten minutes. In the 70th minute the Thunder Ducks put together their best stretch of the afternoon, scoring three times to put the contest out of reach. SO Syun Kataria closed out the days scoring with his first goal of the season, in the 81st minute.
The Lions will return to action in the consoloation round against Finger Lakes Community College, Thursday at 11:00 AM again on the campus of Genessee Community College in Batavia, NY. Finger Lakes dropped their opening round game to GSAC and Region XIX member Camden County College, 3-1.