ROCKINGHAM — Richmond Senior High School student-athlete Jayana Nicholson could finally breathe a sigh of relief Thursday afternoon.
The three-sport Lady Raider athlete became the second female Richmond soccer player to sign her commitment letter to continue her career at the collegiate level. Join by friends, family, coaches and teammates, Nicholson signed to Cape Fear Community College in Richmond’s media center.
She joined teammate and fellow senior Tatum Hubbard (Methodist University signee) as the only Lady Raiders joining the college soccer circuit following graduation.
“I’m very excited because now it’s less stress on me and I don’t have to worry about where I have to go,” Nicholson smiled. “It’s a big relief for me. It was cool to see everyone show up and cheer me on and support me.
“I was worried that my senior year would be the end of my soccer career,’ she added. “I’m really happy to know I can keep playing.”
Nicholson traveled to Cape Fear earlier this week and did her actual signing with head coach Ryan Deppa. Thursday’s signing was celebratory for the Lady Raider midfielder. Joining her in WIlmington on Tuesday were her parents, Earl and Rasheda Nicholson.
Last Saturday, Nicholson started her final campaign as a Lady Raider soccer player, her third at the varsity level, and has helped Richmond off to a 2-0 start.
She netted a goal in the team’s first game over Cape Fear High School, and helped Richmond win a last-minute decision over Purnell Swett High School Tuesday by drawing a foul at the top of the box in the final minute.
Cape Fear Community College is a junior college that competes in Region 10 of the NJCAA. In 2018-19, the Lady Sea Devils went 16-2-1 overall, and won the regular season and conference tournament title before falling to Gordon State College in the Southeast District championship in double overtime.
Nicholson explained that Deppa and the Cape Fear program reached out expressing interest in her in January, which led to her first official visit toward the end of February. She’s been recruited as a midfielder because of her defensive abilities, but expects to see some time at forward in college.
“When I visited campus, I just fell in love with it,” Nicholson said. “I love the area even though I’m not that big of a fan of the beach. I also like that it’s not that big of a school.
“Coach Deppa said the team is really close, which is something I liked about it,” she continued. “They’re a really talented program that has won the conference championship three years in a row.”
Cape Fear wasn’t the only program showing interest in Nicholson, as she noted Erskine College, the University of South Carolina-Upstate and Gardner-Webb University all showed interest in her talent on the pitch.
What made the difference was Cape Fear’s scholarship offer, which will send Nicholson to school on a full ride. Erskine also offered her a scholarship, but called Cape Fear’s the “better deal.”
As a junior last season, Nicholson scored nine goals, added two assists and helped the Lady Raiders earn a program-best 17 wins. She knows that her responsibilities lie with Richmond this spring before she heads off to college, as the Lady Raiders have 17 more regular season games on the schedule.
She also has been named to the All-Sandhills Athletic Conference team as a sophomore and junior.
“I’m looking forward to playing with a new team and new players, and also meeting new people,” Nicholson said of her future. “I still have to work hard with the Lady Raiders and try and continue to be a better leader this year.”
Nicholson plans on dual-majoring in business and physical therapy once she gets to Wilmington.
“It’s nice for her to know that she’s got something to work toward after her senior season,” Richmond head coach Chris Larsen said. “She can continue to get better and prepare herself for the next level. It’s been enjoyable to watch her grow as a player the last couple years.
“She’s being rewarded for years of hard work,” he added. “Jayana has been the heart and soul in the middle of the field the last two years. She’s a work horse and is player who leads by her drive and determination.”
Nicholson closed by thanking her family, friends, coaches and teammates “because without their support, I wouldn’t have made it this far.”
