Richeson makes his mark for FMU men

FLORENCE — Clark Richeson isn’t good at making first impressions.

Whether it was when he was being recruited in high school or his first college match, the Francis Marion goalkeeper never performed well right away.

But that hasn’t stopped him from making his mark with the Patriots.

For the past two seasons, Richeson has been one of the cornerstones of the FMU soccer program, which won the Peach Belt Conference regular season and tournament championships last year and advanced to the Division II tournament.

“He has been a big reason for that success,” FMU coach Kevin Vanardo said. “He is very reliable back there and your are at ease when he’s in the game.”

Going into Saturday’s match against Lincoln Memorial, Richeson led the Peach Belt Conference in goals against (.71), saves (85) and save percentage (.885).

Richeson’s 387:18 scoreless streak was snapped Wednesday against USC Aiken.

The streak was the second-longest in school history, only behind the 481:05 mark he set last season.

Richeson has come a long way since when Vanardo first saw him in action during a tournament in Greensboro, N.C. During that match, Vanardo said the Texas native gave up six goals.

After that performance, Vanardo wasn’t sure if Richeson was going to the guy they wanted because they were also looking at a couple of other keepers.

But Vanardo said Richeson was persistent and wanted to make a visit to the school.

During the visit, Richeson worked out with the team and made an impression on the coaching staff.

“We were coming off a 4-12 season and he still was willing to take a chance on us so we would take a chance on him,” Vanardo said. “And it’s worked out.”

Richeson was on pace to play as a freshman, but Richeson reinjured his right index finger he hurt only couple months before arriving at FMU. The injury occurred during a preseason practice when teammate Biagio Galle clipped his finger and broke it.

It required seven screws and a pin to be put in Richeson’s finger and sidelined him for five weeks.

“It was extremely devastating,” Richeson said. “I had just been cleared to play two weeks before camp started and hadn’t really seen a ball.”

When Richeson finally made his debut, it was less than a memorable one. He gave up six goals in a 6-2 loss to Lander.

“That was rough,” Richeson said of the debut.

Since then, he hasn’t let much get by him. He has recorded 12 shutouts in the past two seasons and also earned plenty of honors along the way. He was named second-team all-PBC last year and has been named the conference’s Goalkeeper of the Week six times during the past two seasons.

Richeson also has become one of the team’s vocal leaders and stays very active during matches when play is at the other end. He is constantly yelling instructions out, almost acting like another coach for the Patriots.

“If I catch myself not being focused, I will yell at someone and keep talking to stay involved with the match,” Richeson said. “I’ll never be just standing around looking off to the sky.”

But when the action comes toward him, he’s at his best and that’s what he looks forward to the most.

“I slowly get excited the close they get towards the goal because I get a chance to prove myself,” Richeson said.

Still, Richeson said the feeling of making a save doesn’t last long because you need to be ready for the next opportunity

“You can’t always soak it in,” he said. “You can enjoy it for a brief period during the game. Then you got to get your head back and get ready for the next one.”