The Maryland native brings W League experience to the Ivy sideline, having played with FC Olympia last summer.
RICHMOND, Va. — Richmond Ivy Soccer Club is pleased to announce that Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) and FC Olympia forward Kendyl Sarver will join the team for its inaugural season pending league and federation approval.
“I was super excited to hear that I would be a part of Richmond Ivy,” Sarver said. “I knew this would be the team to help me keep playing soccer at the highest level this summer. This opportunity means so much to me when I think about giving back to the city of Richmond. I want to show younger girls that they can play soccer at the highest level and be a role model for them.”
The Eldersburg, Md. native earned the Atlantic 10 (A-10) Conference Rookie of the Year when she joined the Rams in 2022, winning A-10 Rookie of the Week three times in the process. She has started in all 27 games since she arrived on campus and led the team with eight goals in her freshman year. That number tied for most from any freshman in the A-10. Also as a freshman, Sarver scored two game-winners and made two assists on the year.
“Kendyl is such an athletic kid and she showed that from a very young age,” VCU Head Coach Lindsey Martin said. “She’s able to be so comfortable athletically all over the field. We weren’t sure where she would fit in with us positionally at the start but she’s really comfortable now at the target role. She can play the 7 or 11 as well but she has gotten so comfortable with her back to goal and keeping it simple off one and two touches. And her ability to score goals whether it’s at her feet or her head, it’s something she excels at and she has exceeded our expectations from the recruiting time until now.”
Bridging her two VCU seasons, Sarver gained pre-professional experience with W League side FC Olympia from Olympia, Wa. Olympia was ranked sixth in the nation and went 8-1-2 on the season.
“Kendyl has previously competed in the W League and comes to Richmond Ivy as an accomplished striker who brings experience, leadership and a proven goal-scoring pedigree with her to the River City,” Ivy Sporting Director Madeline McCracken said. “We are pleased to add a player of Kendyl’s caliber to the team in 2024.”
In her sophomore season, Sarver continued to make a name for herself. She finished with nine points across 1,190 minutes, making four goals and one assist. Sarver opened the season by scoring a goal at William & Mary on Aug. 27 and another at George Mason to help the Rams win 5-0 on Sept. 17. Later in the season, Sarver snagged a game-winner against St. Bonaventure on Oct. 15 and an equalizer on Oct. 22 against Loyola Chicago.
“We are thrilled to add Kendyl to our Richmond Ivy roster for our inaugural season,” Head Coach Kimmy Cummings said. “Kendyl does well to hold the game up as a target forward which we believe will pair well with the midfield. Her strength on and off the ball coupled with her ability to read the game will allow us the versatility to play her in multiple attacking positions. She has shown her ability to find the back of the net which I think will bring excitement for our fans this season!”
Before VCU, Sarver played for Pipeline Soccer Club in the Baltimore area, earning recognition on ECNL’s All-Region Mid-Atlantic Second Team for her senior season in 2021.
