By Marty Gordon
Two female high school soccer players from Christiansburg have announced plans to continue their playing career next year at Emory and Henry College. Michaela Webber and Carly Walden will attend the southwest Virginia as teammates.
“I chose Emory and Henry because I love the atmosphere and as soon as I stepped onto the campus it felt like home to me,” Walden said.
Weber agreed the E&H campus was inviting because of the sense of community throughout the entire campus. “Emory and Henry immediately felt like home to me,” she said.
Walden has been a defensive specialist for the Blue Demons. She received the co-defensive player of the year as a sophomore and junior and was a conference honorable mention honor, being named second-team all-region last season.
Weber had three goals and four assists in 2017 with two game-winning goals. In 2018, she finished four goals and four assists, being named second team all-conference and second team all-region.
She and Walden have played together and been close friends fifth grade. “We work well together on and off the field and I think it will be a fun experience for the both of us. I’m excited to continue this journey with her,” she said.
Walden expressed similar excitement. “I am very excited to play with a teammate from high school because it’ll be helpful and comforting to see a familiar face as I’m getting used to the team and college,” she said.
Weber plans to major in biology with a focus on pre-health, while Walden will major in health sciences.
They both have high-standards for on and off the field at E&H.
“My goal on is to to earn a starting position and contribute to the team as much as I can. Off is to to maintain a high grade point average while getting the full college experience,” Walden said.
Webber hopes to become an offensive contributor, provide goal scoring opportunities for the Wasps, while continuing to grow in both my technical and tactical abilities and earning a starting position.
“Off the soccer field I hope to maintain a high GPA, decide on a graduate program and take advantage of all Emory & Henry has to offer,” she said.