Southampton Homecoming a Dream Come True for England‘s Lucia Kendall
SOUTHAMPTON – Lucia Kendall enjoyed a triumphant return to her roots on Tuesday, playing a starring role for England in their victory against Austria at St Mary’s Stadium.The match felt, as Kendall described it, “special,” marking a notable moment in her rapid ascent to the top of the women’s game.
Kendall’s journey to this point has been defined by pivotal decisions and unwavering dedication. While Southampton nurtured her talent, a choice at age 15 between football and cricket – her father Will having played for Hampshire – ultimately shaped her path. She opted for football, acknowledging, “I loved playing cricket growing up. It was a really difficult decision…but when the time came, I [realised] I enjoy football a bit more.”
Juggling a psychology degree at university with her commitments to Southampton, Kendall quickly demonstrated the drive needed to succeed. She spent over a decade with the second-tier club, scoring 29 goals, before Aston Villa secured her services in the summer, propelling her into the Women’s Super League.
Her impact has been immediate. Within months, Kendall became a regular in the WSL and earned a call-up to the england squad. England manager Sarina Wiegman praised Kendall’s consistency,stating,”She shows consistency and that’s not easy when you just come into a new environment and into the WSL with Aston Villa…she just keeps up her levels and shows she is a good player – and that is remarkable.”
During Tuesday’s match, kendall hit the crossbar and created an chance for Villa team-mate Missy Bo Kearns, before Alessia Russo secured the win with an injury-time penalty. Substituted after an hour to a resounding ovation from the home crowd, Kendall reflected on the importance of her time at Southampton: “Being at Southampton for so long, I played regular senior football from the age of 16 and that stood me in really good stead…It was the consistent trust they showed in me as a player and the belief.”
Kendall acknowledged the step up in intensity at the international level, saying, “I knew that I had to go in [to England] and prove why I should be playing at this level. The speed of the game is quicker and it was like going up a division.”
