Schneider Wraps World Cup Experience with Jamaica
UNCW Media Relations
WILMINGTON, N.C. – The 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup may be over for UNCW junior goalkeeper Sydney Schneider and the Jamaican National Team, but memories of the world’s biggest soccer tournament will not be soon forgotten.
Schneider, from Dayton, N.J., and her Jamaican team concluded their group stage round with a 4-1 loss to Australia earlier this week on a balmy night in Grenoble, France. It was an unforgettable debut for the Reggae Girlz on the world’s biggest stage.
“Our last match against Australia was our best one,” Schneider reflected on the tournament. “Score aside, we improved from the last game as a team and were on the same page, connecting passes more and getting more chances than before.”
When Havana Solaun scored in the 49
th minute, it represented Jamaica’s first goal in World Cup history. Schneider was delighted to witness the signature moment.
“To see out first goal was amazing,” she said. “We had a few chances before that, so we were already on the edge of our seats waiting for someone to capitalize. I told one of my teammates that I had a good feeling about this game and that I knew were we going to score. To see it actually happen was incredible.”
Schneider, along with FIFA president Gianni Infantino, was watching from the sidelines for the team’s World Cup finale. While disappointed, she understood the decision.
“I saw down with the coaches a couple days before the third game and they told me about the possibility of not starting. I knew it was coming, so it wasn’t a surprise. They explained that I had done very well throughout the tournament and it was not based on my performances. The likelihood of us moving on was very low and they wanted to give everyone the experience.
“They did not doubt Nicole McClure’s abilities in the net and neither did I. She, like many others, had worked so hard to get here and has performed well. She deserved to play.”
There were so many highlights over the two-week period that Schneider had difficulty singling out just one. “The most memorable one would probably be saving the penalty kicks. Although my second PK save got called back (vs. Australia), it was still crazy memorable.”
The 19-year-old sensation now returns home and is looking forward to spending time with her other team – the Seahawk soccer family.
“My focus now will be the start of the season with UNCW,” she said. “I’m looking forward to being back with my other team, my family at UNCW. I’m looking forward to our season and ready to put in the work to make it a successful one.”
Schneider helped Jamaica earn its first World Cup appearance with a third-place finish in the 2018 CONCACAF Women's Championship last October. Her grandparents were born in Jamaica and her mother, Andrea Kapinos, hails from the Caribbean island.
Jamaica’s World Cup Results
6/09/19 | Brazil 3, Jamaica 0, Grenoble, France
6/14/19 | Italy 5, Jamaica 0, Reims, France
6/18/19 | Australia 4, Jamaica 1, Grenoble, France