Barnard hat trick gives Thunderducks birth to NJCAA championship

HERKIMER, NY – With three goals coming from Danny Barnard, two coming in the first half, the Richland Thunderducks advanced to the NJCAA DIII National Championship game on Friday (11/14) defeating Cayuga Community College 6-1.

Richland (22-1-1, 2-0) netted three goals in the first half, two by Barnard and one by Eduardo Ruiz-Liberes. They came in the 14^th, 18^th and 34^th.

In the second half Cayuga managed to stop the bleeding down 4-0 when the Spartans scored in the 56^th. It was short however as Richland netted two goals in the 60^th and 65^th, coming from Barnard and Pierre Bocquet to make the final 6-1.

In goal for the Thunderducks was Igor Do Nacimento and for the Spartans was Tautus Poniskaitis. Nacimento saved four and Poniskaitis saved six.

Up next for Richland is Suffolk County Community College. The Thunderducks will face the Sharks in the DIII National Championship on Sunday (11/14) at Wehrum Stadium. Game time is scheduled for 2 p.m.

(Credit writer: Giorgio Varlaro)