Dream Realized: Spencer Selected to Jamaican National Soccer Team

SOUTH PRINCE GEORGE, VA – From the time Alexia Spencer had enough strength in her legs and enough coordination to kick a soccer ball, the Richard Bland College of William & Mary women's freshman soccer sensation dreamed of playing on the Jamaican national soccer team. 

For the Midlothian resident who was named the Region X Player of the Year this past season, that dream was realized when she was selected to Jamaica's U-20 team that will compete in the 2020 Concacaf Women's Under-20 Championship starting February 22 against Guatemala in Santa Domingo, Dominican Republic. The Championship, which runs from February 22 to March 8, is the qualifier for the 2020 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup in August. 

"Ever since I was young, playing for the Jamaican national team is something I've always dreamed of but never thought would happen," Spencer says. "I am so excited to be chosen."

While Spencer was born in the United States, she received an invitation to tryout for the national team because her father Trevor was born in the capital city of Kingston. Trevor played on the Jamaican Youth National Team as a youth (U14, U16, U18, U 20 and U23) and starred at VCU as a team captain in 1997 and 1998. He was a Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) Second-Team selection in 1997 and led the team in goals (6) and assists (6) his freshman season.    

Spencer's journey to earning her spot on the 20-player roster was earned over a three day tryout period in early February. High-intensity training coupled with competitive games was held in Kingston on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. She arrived in Jamaica at midnight and was on the field five hours later. On both Friday and Saturday, she would play four games (two each day) and adapt to a drastic change in temperature – 45 degrees when departing Virginia and 90 degrees when arriving in Jamaica.

"After Friday's training and two games, I was exhausted and thought 'there's no way I will make the team'," Spencer says. Saturday, when fully rested, Spencer played better and says she got a boost of confidence. The clincher came on Sunday when she tallied three of her team's six goals. "After Sunday the coach pulled me aside to commend me on the game and I knew I had a chance," she explains. 

 "I am very proud of Alexia for making the Jamaican U-20 National Team," says head women's coach Damien Westfield, who also leads the RBC men's program. "This is an opportunity that many young female soccer players dream of achieving. To know that she will be representing Richard Bland College women's soccer team at an international level brings greater awareness to our college and its soccer programs." 

Spencer says she prepared herself for a significant change in competition by working out and training with the RBC men's soccer team. "Practice was at a much higher intensity level than is normally found in women's soccer," Spencer candidly says. "The men's players pushed me to work harder and keep up." 

Spencer's first week with the Jamaican National Team will revolve around extensive training before the qualifying matches begin. In addition to facing Guatemala, the Jamaican team will face Canada and San Salvador among 20 teams vying for two spots in the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup. 

This past season, Spencer led the Statesmen with a team-best 41 points and 20 goals, including four game-winners. Her points and goals scored all ranked in the top-two in the Region X Conference, where she was selected the unanimous Player of the Year.

Playing for the Jamaican national team is just one of Spencer's long-term goals. "I'd really like to play for the U.S. national team and ultimately play professionally," she says. 

More information on the Concacaf Women's Under-20 Championships can be found here.