Richey’s impact key for Crusaders’ state run

As the Saxony Lutheran Crusaders take the field in the Class 1 State Semifinal against Villa Duchesne the presence of sophomore Camille Richey is sure to be a big factor.

After the Crusaders defeated the Metro Panthers 2-0 on Saturday, May 29, coach Chris Crawford had high praise for the way Richey plays the game.

“She’s a menace,” Crawford said. “She does all the dirty work. She’s a very technical player and she does a lot of the stuff that doesn’t show up in the stats.”

Richey said she learned to play with an edge because of her brothers.

“When you’re aggressive and have them under pressure it messes them up,” Richey said. “I just try to be (around the net) because you can get lucky and put one in.”

The fearlessness she plays with around the net has paid off for Saxony Lutheran countless times throughout the season.

“I just go in there knowing I just have to do what I have to do,” Richey said. “If you get hurt, you have time to rest so I give it all I have.”

While Richey and the Crusaders go through a couple more tuneups before Saturday’s matchup, she said she’s happy to be going to a final four with this group.

“I’m really happy we’re doing it this year,” Richey said. “Especially with this group of seniors because they had that COVID year so I’m pretty excited.”

After the win over Metro at Saxony Lutheran High School, Richey said the team was excited to get to the final four but to also win the quarterfinal game on their home field.

“It’s still surreal,” Richey said. “But, this week has definitely prepared us and I think we’re ready.”

Richey had high praise for what she and her teammates have accomplished so far.

“I’m so proud that we’ve gotten this far,” Richey said. “We just kept pushing and we never gave up.”

Saxony Lutheran (12-8) will take on Villa Duchesne at 10 a.m. on Friday, June 2, in the Class 1 State Semifinals at World Wide Technology Soccer Park in Fenton.