Richards says Frazsier’s Whip now have ‘some belief’ after first goal
Published:Saturday | September 21, 2024 | 12:09 AMLivingston Scott/Gleaner Writer
It has been a baptism of fire for Frazsier’s Whip who made their debut in the Concacaf Women’s Champions Cup this year.
The team conceded 17 goals in three defeats. But in their last match against Tigres of Mexico, the Jamaica champions got something to celebrate after Davia Richards scored the team’s first goal of the competition.
Down 3-0 at the start of the second half, Richards latched on to a cross behind the defence and volleyed a shot inside goalkeeper Ofelia Solis’ backpost.
The former Excelsior High School star revealed that the goal is a huge inspiration to all and they are hoping they can replicate the feat in their final game against New Jersey-New York Gotham FC at the National Stadium on October 3.
“It is a really good feeling for me and the club also,” Richards told The Gleaner. “It is our first goal in the tournament and we are hoping we can get some more.
“These young players have gotten the experience and they now know what it is like. So for the next one I am positive we will go out and do better.
“My objective is to try and get another goal or two. I am sure this one will give the team a lift. Before there was no belief. So it is good for somebody to step up and score and give the team some belief,” Richards said.
Despite the unimpressive results thus far, Richards, who was a dominant player and goalscorer while at Excelsior and who has also been outstanding since moving abroad to Hills College, where she scored 23 goals and provided 12 assists in her first season, said the experience has been very helpful and they are positive they can give a better account of themselves in the next competition.
“It has been a good experience for me, my teammates and the coaching staff. The majority of this team is very young. They have fought in every game and we just hope to get better.”
The former under-20 Reggae Girlz star has also been getting valuable experience with the senior team as well, representing the seniors in the Concacaf Women’s Gold Cup qualifying campaign, where she scored one goal in a 1-1 draw with Guatemala.
Although she believes Frazsier’s Whip will have to work harder and improve in all areas just to try and be competitive next year in the regional competition, Richards said the local Jamaica Women’s Premier League (JWPL) will not pose much of a challenge based on the experience they have gained.
“I am not looking down at the teams that are here (local league), but I think we are at a different level now. Being in this tournament has been a different test for us so coming back to the JWPL, I think it will be a walkover unless you can find a team that will assemble some good players that will give us a contest.
“But as it stands right now, we can’t even play practice games against women in the country, we have to play boys to get the level of competition needed for the regional tournament,” Richards said.