Walker playing key role on and off the field

Coming out of high school in 2020, Evan Walker had some choices to make. Graduating during the pandemic, he knew that the beginning of his college career was going to have a different look to it. While several of his classmates chose to defer admission for a year, Walker decided to begin his time at Holy Cross in the fall of 2020, even though it would be remote. 

“I considered a lot of factors when deciding whether to enroll or defer, but I really wanted to do the traditional four-year track,” Walker said. “I was also eager to get on campus and join the team. I decided that the best thing for me was to move forward and do that first semester online.”

Since arriving on campus, Walker has shown that he has the ability to be successful both on the pitch and in the classroom. He is a three-time selection to the Patriot League Academic Honor Roll, while twice being named an Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholar. 

“It takes a lot of discipline to balance academics and athletics, but for me it is just a matter of organizing my time,” Walker said. “I also like the fact that Holy Cross has so many different classes and you can really cater your course load to your interests. Being able to take advantage of that variety makes the academic experience much more enjoyable.”

On the field, Walker has played 119 minutes so far this season, while earning his second career start at UConn. With two games coming up this week at Dartmouth (Sept. 9, 7 p.m.) and Rhode Island (Sept. 12, 7 p.m.) prior to the start of Patriot League play, Walker is confident the team has the ingredients necessary to have a successful season. 

“The two things we are focused on are refining the technical aspects of our game and refining the mental side of it,” Walker said. “The mental side is something that we can control, making sure we are sharp and executing everything to the best of our ability. We have all the tools, and we just need to implement them to be successful. I am very optimistic about what lies ahead.” 

As one of just three seniors on this year’s squad, Walker is not only focused on his own play, but in helping the younger members of the team develop.

“Having been here for four years, I’m in a position where I can help out the freshmen with any issues they are having and provide them with advice,” Walker said. “It could be tips on how they can acclimate to the team’s playing style, or how they should behave on and off the field to be in line with the team’s values. I want them to thrive now, and also grow so that they can continue to build the next generation of Holy Cross soccer after I graduate.”

In addition to his athletic and academic pursuits, Walker spent the 2022-2023 school year as an intern with the Holy Cross Office of Sustainability. 

“I learned so much during my internship, working with Cathy Liebowitz and some other project developers,” Walker said. “It was meaningful work that allowed me to engage more in the community and learn more about myself.” 

With a double major in economics and mathematics, Walker is looking to find a career where he can use his analytical skills to find meaningful work in the sustainability field. And on the field, he hopes to play a key role in leading the Crusaders to a successful 2023 season.

'SADER SHORTS

• Junior Jake Williams earned Patriot League Midfielder of the Week honors,
after scoring the game-winning goal in the 1-0 victory over Sacred Heart on Sept. 1. 
• Junior Tristan Stephani picked up his first career shutout against Sacred Heart, while making two saves.
• Dartmouth holds a 6-0-5 advantage in the all-time series with the Crusaders.
• Holy Cross stands 2-14-0 all-time against Rhode Island. 

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