RICHMOND, Va. – W League RVA is pleased to announce that sophomore Taylor Berry will play for the club in its inaugural season pending league and federation approval. The Virginia native currently plays as a forward and high midfielder for Youngstown State in Ohio and will head into her junior season after the pre-professional season this summer.
“I’m very appreciative of this opportunity and grateful that I’m able to reunite on home turf with some of the best teammates and coaches I could ask for,” Berry said. “This opportunity means more than “making a team” but rather a chance to better myself and others while continuing to grow my love for this game on an entirely different level.”
Berry just finished her second collegiate season, starting in all 17 of the Penguins’ games and scoring three goals on the season with three assists. Across her career, Berry has seven goals and four assists.
Youngstown State Head Coach Brian Shrum said without a doubt that Berry’s hard work and aggressiveness will make her a true asset to our squad here in Richmond.
“Taylor is one of the hardest workers I have ever met on and off the field,” Shrum said of Berry. “On the field, she works to hold the ball for her team through her extraordinary ball handling abilities. She has the strength to hold off defenders as well as turn with the ball to penetrate the opposition defense. She has an aggressive mindset in pressing the opposition when they are on the attack to create turnovers. Taylor will be a true asset to the Richmond team.”
In her freshman season, Berry’s first collegiate goal forced a 1-1 draw out of a 0-1 deficit. She continued to score through the season and refused to give up on a game regardless of the apparent score. At the end of October 2022, she scored the only two Penguin goals in the first round of the Horizon League Championships to beat Wright State 2-1. Shrum said it’s great to see Berry turn her hard work into a pre-professional opportunity.
“Taylor has a true ability at target forward,” W League RVA Head Coach Kimmy Cummings said. “She’s excellent at holding the game up and allowing players to join the attack. She is able to easily spin off center backs to get in behind and find the back of the net. Taylor is the type of player that is sure to bring excitement to the fans in City Stadium!”
Berry has consistently been able to finish and distribute from her position on the pitch. In high school, she earned first-team all-state recognition and led Christchurch School in both goals and assists.
Sporting Director Madeline McCracken says this dual capability is what drew her to Berry in the first place.
“Taylor is an outstanding attacking player who has proven her ability to create and finish scoring chances at the club and collegiate level,” McCracken said. “We believe she will continue to contribute in these ways for W League RVA as well! She is a great fit for our team both on and off the field and we are excited to add her to our squad for 2024.”
As for returning to Richmond, Berry is counting down the days until the season kickoff on Saturday, May 11, now that she is a part of the team and will be reunited with her old teammates and fellow Richmond United alum.
“Get ready for a great season!” Taylor said. “We are all just as excited as [the fans], and making sure the energy is present both on and off the field is critical to having a successful, fun, and worthwhile season!”
