Excelsior’s Richards eager for next challenge after stellar high school career
DAVIA Richards is looking forward to her next challenge in football after a trophy-laden career at Excelsior High School came to an end with her fourth title last Friday.
The 18-year-old guided Excelsior to yet another schoolgirl football title when they beat Garvey Maceo High 3-0 in the Inter-secondary Schools Sports Association/tip Friendly football final at Ashenheim Stadium at Jamaica College.
Richards got the first goal of the game from the penalty spot in the 53rd minute for her 31st strike of the campaign. An own goal conceded by Danielle James in the 56th minute and a third from Shauntai Pryce two minutes from time completed the scoring for the Mountain View Avenue-based school.
Richards admitted that it wasn’t the most difficult season of her high school career but said Excelsior didn’t have it all their own way in every single game.
“It was a great season for us and a great season for me as well. It wasn’t a very challenging season for us but there were teams that fought against us. It is a great feeling to score 31 goals, although I should have scored more,” she said.
They came up against a very plucky Garvey Maceo — guided by former national women’s Coach Merron Gordon — in the final, and had difficulty breaking them down in the first half.
“Coach [Xavier Gilbert] told us to play quicker and put the ball behind them, because most of the Garvey Maceo backline is slow. They literally kick and run because they have quality players that can run [who have] speed,” Richards explained.
She was delighted about her input in a game during which they completely dominated and went on to win with consummate ease.
“It was a really good feeling to get the first goal of the game and after that we went back at them to try to get more — and fortunately, we did.”
It was a special win for the player who has represented her school from the year she entered in 2016.
“It feels overwhelming to win the title this year. It’s my last year here so I want my younger teammates to keep it up. I do believe in them; they have quality,” she said.
The national representative thanked all who had helped to make the season a winning one, especially on the last day of the season.
“I want to thank the fans who came out to watch the final, my Coach Xavier Gilbert, and all the staff behind us.
“Excelsior has been a great team. It’s really a great feeling know that the team came out and put in the work and got the job done.”
But even as she says farewell to her high school Richards, who is heading to Hill College in Texas, is looking forward with great excitement to what lies ahead.
“It’s a good feeling knowing that I am moving on to something bigger in life. I want to go to college and then become a professional player,” she said.