Reggae Girl Walker getting into stride

Ricshya Walker is flying under the radar. The spotlight in Jamaican women’s football often shines on the more established and high-profile players. However, the 22-year-old striker is quietly, and rapidly making a name for herself.

Walker began her professional career with Costa Rican club Sporting in March, scoring seven goals in the women’s premier division in her first five games.

She left the club in May at the end of the season and soon moved to Mexico, where she signed for newly formed women’s club Atlante Femenil in Liga Femenil.

Atlante are in their inaugural season, combining youthful talent with experienced players. Three games into the campaign, they have recorded a win over Necaxa and defeats to powerhouse Rayadas and Cruz Azul.

Despite the challenging start, Walker has been one of the bright spots.

She made her debut in the 3-1 loss to Rayadas, starting the match and scoring her team’s only goal. In her second appearance, she again found the net, scoring Atlante’s lone goal in a 3-1 defeat to Cruz Azul.

Seven goals in her first five games in Costa Rica, followed by two in her opening two matches in Mexico, are difficult to ignore.

Behind the explosiveness of this early stage of her career lies a quiet composure.

Reflecting on her impressive run in Costa Rica earlier this year, she said: “I have confidence in myself. I know what I’m capable of.”

“But to start like that, yes, it’s shocking,” the striker added. “You don’t plan for things to just start that fast and that high. But it was good. And I know that I’m capable of competing at that level. So, I wouldn’t say I was worried going into it. It’s a confidence booster for sure.”

Walker will need that self-assurance in Mexico as she comes up against defenders with significantly more experience, many of whom represent some of the strongest teams in Mexico and, by extension, North America.

Scoring two goals already against those defences has been no small achievement.

Against powerhouse Rayadas, Atlante spent much of the game defending, leaving Walker isolated as the lone striker.

It was difficult for her teammates to transition into attack and provide service. Even when they did, she was closely marked.

In her second game, Atlante found it easier to launch attacks against Cruz Azul, but Walker remained under close attention from the opposition defence.

Physicality has been a hallmark of the defending she is now encountering, something that often comes with the territory for centre-forwards with a strong physical presence. Learning to navigate that will be another important part of her adaptation to football at this level.

Asked how she would describe her game, Walker’s response revealed a player accustomed to adapting to whatever a match demands.

“I try not to do just one thing,” Walker explained. “I try to do a little bit of everything, whatever is called for. If I have to make more runs, then that’s what it is. If I have to hold the ball up and give it to somebody else, that’s what it is. If they’re playing a lot of crosses, then I just stay in the box, don’t really touch the ball too much until they play it in there. I don’t think it’s just one thing.

“I think if you want to be an elite player, if you want to improve, then you can’t just be a fast player and say that’s going to get me wherever I want to be,” she continued.

“So I just try to keep a balance, work on everything, and make sure that I can do everything whenever it’s necessary.”

That mindset also shapes her career strategy. She does not dream of a particular league or club. Instead, she wants to be in environments that push her to the next level.

“At the end of the day, the club has to want you just as much as you want the club,” Walker said.

“So, I think it’s important to find a team that shares the same values as me. While I’m looking at personal improvement, they’re also looking at, ‘How can we improve this player? How can we make this player better?’”

That approach has taken her to Mexico, where both Walker and Atlante are building their identities together as the new club begins its journey.

Before turning professional, Walker spent four years playing NCAA Division I football, competing for three seasons at La Salle University before transferring to the University of New Hampshire for her senior year. She also played for Pennsylvania-based pre-professional club Lancaster Inferno in 2025.