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Richardson's Savvy Is Key For Terrapins

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Richardson contributed seven goals and a team-high 30 assists for last season's Class 2A state championship squad.

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By JARRETT GUTHRIE

Tribune correspondent

Published: November 10, 2008

TAMPA - Taylor Richardson knows a lot of things. In the classroom, the senior ranks among the top of Tampa Prep's student body in grade-point average. And on the soccer field, Richardson's knowledge for the game is readily apparent.

Richardson, the Terrapins' center midfielder, contributed seven goals and a team-high 30 assists for last season's Class 2A state championship squad. So maybe above all, Richardson knows what it is like to win.

One more thing she knows - this Terrapins team is going to be a vastly different team then last season.

"Our focus right now is playing our own game," Richardson said. "We are playing a lot of kick and run right now because we aren't sure of our own style of play.

"And we need to find that - our team's style of play."

Last season, Tampa Prep had the area's top two scorers. This year Chelsea Klotz, who scored a state-leading 64 goals, is graduated and attending the University of South Florida. Also missing from the team is senior Paige Goodwin, who is recovering from surgery on a torn ACL and is not slated to return until Dec. 3 at the earliest.

When her academic achievements are brought up, Richardson shies away from questions under the cover of modesty. When asked about her standing in the academics of her school, she simply responds, "I guess I'm up there."

"I just don't like to talk about it," Richardson said. "I guess I'm humble about it."

Terrapins coach Pam Smith, on the other hand, has no problem bragging about Richardson.

"Taylor is smart, like genius smart," Smith said. "Taylor is a leader on this team and we count on her heavily."

Richardson's modesty about her classroom work is in stark contrast with her passion for her team. Richardson is more than comfortable leading this team as the season starts; her role as a team leader doesn't faze her in the slightest.

"I willing to take that on," Richardson said. "This team is worth it."

In Tampa Prep's opening game Thursday night, Richardson scored the lone goal in a 1-0 win against Tampa Catholic. Richardson had two chances in the first half, first in the 15th minute on a shot that Crusaders keeper Courtney Meyering punched up over the crossbar; and the second coming on a free kick that crossed in front of Colby Maffei but was too high for her to handle. Instead, Richardson broke the tie in the second half with a five-hole shot that was mishandled and slipped between the legs of Meyering.

Richardson said her job right now is to help this team find its identity, and added she is prepared for whatever role she needs to fill.

"My job is to slow the game down, keep us composed and build an attack," Richardson said. "I feel that this team has a lot more team unity than last year's team.

"I know we connect well, not only the chemistry, but on the field we are working as a team and not as individuals."

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