Walker Named Great Lakes Region Coach of the Year – Ohio State Buckeyes
12/30/2009 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
COLUMBUS, Ohio – After leading the Buckeyes to a 14-4-2 record and a second place finish in the Big Ten, head coach Lori Walker was named Great Lakes Region Coach of the Year by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America.
Walker, who just finished her 13th season at the helm of the Ohio State women’s soccer program, is one of 11 finalists for National Coach of the Year. The award will be handed out at the NSCAA Awards Banquet Jan. 15 in Philadelphia, Pa.
Walker, a former University of North Carolina goalkeeper, played a crucial role in the development of keeper Lauren Robertson, a third-team All-Great Lakes Region selection. In 2009, the Buckeyes tied for the fewest goals allowed in a season with 13, a far cry from the 31 opponent tallies in 2008. Robertson broke the Ohio State career shutout record and moved into second place in Big Ten history with 29 clean sheets.
The second place finish in the Big Ten, the best ever for an Ohio State team, helped the Buckeyes to their fifth NCAA tournament appearance in the 17-year history of the program. The seven wins Ohio State posted in Big Ten play were a program best and the four total losses tied for the fewest in school history. The Buckeyes gave up just 13 goals, four fewer than any other season and were 4-0-1 against ranked opponents.
Other Regional Coach of the Year winners include: Amanda Cromwell (Central Florida), Mike Tucker (Dayton), Ian Stone (St. John’s), Paul Ratcliffe (Stanford), Shelley Smith (South Carolina), Mark Kirkorian (Florida State), and Garrett Smith (Portland).
