TicketsApril 19, 2011
CINCINNATI - Ashani Walker, a 5-4 midfielder from Jamaica, has signed a National Letter of Intent to join the University of Cincinnati men's soccer team for the 2011 season, head coach Hylton Dayes announced.
"We are delighted to have a player of Ashani's caliber join our program. He is one of the top youth players coming out of Jamaica this year and has had success at every level including high school and club," said Dayes. "He is best suited to play as an attacking midfielder but can also play wide. Ashani is an excellent leader and, coupled with his international playing experience, will be a valuable addition to our program."
Walker was named the MVP of the Manning Cup, the top schoolboy competition in Jamaica, in 2010 and helped Jamaica College to its first schoolboy "triple crown". JC won the Manning Cup, Walker Cup, and All-Island Olivier Shield titles last season. He helped JC to three Manning Cup finals over the last four seasons and scored the deciding goal in the 3-0 championship victory in 2010. He also tallied twice in the 3-1 win in the Walker Cup final.
Walker is a member of the Jamaican U-20 national team which recently competed in the CONCACAF qualifiers for the 2011 FIFA U-20 World Cup, to be held in Colombia. Walker saw action in qualifying matches against Guatemala and Honduras. He was called up to the Jamaica senior national team on two occasions in 2010.
The son of Ishmael and Maxine Walker, he plans to major in business at UC.
Walker joins an already highly-touted recruiting class that includes Emmanuel Appiah, Chris Davis, Cole DeNormandie, Will Diebold, Matt Remaley and Taylor Hafling in 2011 as the Bearcats look to improve upon a second-place finish in the BIG EAST Red Division and a spot in the 2010 BIG EAST Championship semifinals.