December 15, 1998
Notre Dame, Ind. – Notre Dame freshman Shane Walton (San Diego, Calif.), who led the Irish in scoring with 10 goals and seven assists, has been named to the National Soccer Coaches Association of America All-Mideast Region Second Team.
Walton, a three-time BIG EAST Rookie of the Week selection in 1998, was also selected to the BIG EAST All-Rookie team and a second-team all-BIG EAST honoree. He was the first freshman since Bill Lanza in 1992 to lead Notre Dame in scoring. His 27 points were the second most ever by an Irish freshman.
Walton netted four game-winning goals during the 1998 campaign as he led the Irish to a 9-6-3 mark. He started 17 of the 18 games he played in during the season. In the season opener against Valparaiso (a 6-1 Irish win), he became the first Notre Dame freshman to score two goals and dish off two assists in a collegiate debut. Walton also scored a goal in nine of 18 contests.