Rodrigue does it all for Roma
Jayda Rodrigue is nothing if not adaptable.
The 20-year-old Welland native has shown her versatility for the St. Catharines Club Roma League2 women’s team this season playing a variety of positions, at times even in the same game.
“She’s been a standout this year, a solid contributor,” Roma head coach Rob Lalama said. “I have a lot of confidence in her as a player. She does whatever is asked of her. In one game, I played her at midfield and defender just because it was needed at the moment and she’s versatile enough and dependable enough to do that.”
Rodrigue has no issue filling in as the situation dictates.
“I would say it’s not that hard,” the Centennial graduate said. “Growing up I was moved around in different positions. He (Lalama) said that it’s good to be a utility player and it helps with playing time so it’s just adapting to the way the different players are during the game.”
Rodrigue, who was also a standout basketball player for the Cougars and for Dave Picton at the Niagara Girls Basketball Academy, has shown her ability to pivot off the pitch as well.
After playing soccer for a year at the University of Waterloo, Rodrigue changed direction and transferred to Niagara College last year where she played for Lalama while studying to be a paramedic.
“It was definitely hard because I always had in my mind I wanted to go to university and then I really didn’t enjoy my (kinesiology) program,” she said. “You’re really young when you decide and going away was hard without my family. I was still figuring things out but once I made my decision to come home I was glad I did.”
Rodrigue found the quality of soccer at the collegiate level to be formidable.
“It’s definitely a more physical and faster game and takes some time to adapt to. Last year we had a lot of new recruits coming in and it was about learning how to work together. I think this year it’s going to be a lot easier because we had that year together.”
Lalama has big plans for Rodrigue this fall as well.
“I expect a bigger role,” he said. “She contributed a lot last year and I expect her to take it to the next level and I expect some leadership. She’s very quiet but I expect her to step up and lead by example, which is perfect, or the odd word to the team to get them going.”
The Wolves, who are 5-5 and in third place in their division, are in action again July 10 in Hamilton versus Scrosoppi FC.
“We’ve had some tough opposition because it seems in League1 teams are allowed to send players down and we seem to be running into that,” Lalama said. “I don’t think it’s just us. I think players are moving around. The gap between L2 and League1 Premier is significant and when you’re up against those players you see that. It’s very challenging which has made it very difficult for us.”
Rodrigue feels playing against top notch competition can be a blessing in disguise.
“It’s been a good learning experience for us to see that’s the level we need to get to in order to move up. We just have to play and be physical and try and stay in the game,” she said.
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