Walker To Continue Soccer Career with AC Diablos
CHESTER, Pa. -- Graduating Swarthmore senior goalkeeper Lauren Walker will continue her soccer career this spring, having been picked up by the AC Diablos of the Women's Premier Soccer League (WPSL) this past week.
Walker (Fallston, Md. / The Hotchkiss School [CT]) learned of the Diablos’ interest this past week from head coach Matt Driver, also head coach of the Philadelphia Independence, the newest Women’s Professional Soccer franchise set to begin play in 2010. 
“[Swarthmore head] coach [Todd] Anckaitis called me last week about the Diablos’ interest, right in the middle of my final exams,” said Walker. “I had a short conversation with Coach Driver and found myself driving to south on Saturday for our first game against TSC Maryland Pride.”
Walker’s first week on the Diablos coincided with the announcement of the Independence Announcement Ceremony at the Franklin Institute where the Diablos, the feeder program for the Independence, got a photo opportunity with Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter.
“The last ten days have been such a whirlwind,” exclaimed Walker, “from meeting all my talented teammates, to finishing school, and then standing next to the Mayor!”
Walker has been a central force in the turnaround of Swarthmore women’s soccer, leading the Garnet to consecutive ECAC Championships and the Centennial Conference playoffs three straight years. Her six saves in a 4-3 win over No. 1-ranked College of New Jersey in September 2008 put Swarthmore on the national soccer map. Walker was named All-Region and received three All-Centennial selections in four years at Swarthmore, setting school records for shutouts (28) and goals-against average (0.70). The M.V.P. of the 2008 E.C.A.C. South Region Championship, Walker also holds Centennial Conference records for shutouts in a season (10) and lowest GAA in a season (0.27).