Cavalier still on course despite missing JWPL semis
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Having missed out on the semi-finals of the Jamaica Women’s Premier League (JWPL), Cavalier’s coach Collin Wilson says the programme is building towards the next two seasons and promised they will return to the final four.
Cavalier narrowly missed out on a spot in the semi-finals of the JWPL this season after they finished third in Zone A on 15 points.
They finished below zone winners Arnett Gardens, 25 points, and Real Mona, who moved into the second place spot on the final match day with 17.
It is the first time Cavalier have missed out on the JWPL semi-finals since 2016, but Wilson said he always knew it was going to be a difficult season.
He said the team had lost up to nine players from the squad that had made it to the final last year, leaving a major hole.
One of their key departures was striker Shanel Spence, who scored 37 goals for Cavalier last season.
“We knew it would have been a very challenging season for us, even though we were just outside of the semi-finals,” Wilson said.
“We knew what was at stake and what was against us because, starting off, we had lost a couple of players, up to nine. So, for us to be right here, it's not too bad for us.”
Cavalier had looked set to advance to the semi-final by match week seven and only needed a win from their remaining three games to secure a semi-final spot.
However, the team collapsed in the final stretch and lost all three games to Proven Girls, Arnett Gardens, and Real Mona.
Wilson explained that the lack of squad depth, as well as injuries, played a major role in their poor run.
“Losing the last three games really hurt us. We had some injuries and, because of personnel, we don’t have enough [players] that can play, so the same players have been playing every week,” he explained. “So the fatigue and injuries really got the better of us.”
Wilson said, with their seasons now over, the team’s next objective will be to begin their preparations for next season.
He explained the club has a two-year plan with the objectives of returning to the semi-finals and competing for the JWPL title.
"From the season start, we have been building for the next season. So, even for this season, we were building for the next two years. We are on course to be a contender again, and a semi-finalist or a finalist for next season.”