Fiona Walsh joined the Clark University women’s soccer staff in the summer of 2021 as the program’s second Tara VanDerveer Fund for the Advancement of Women in Coaching Grant recipient. Walsh serves as an assistant coach/recruiting coordinator and goalkeeper coach. A former standout student-athlete at Vassar College, Walsh brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the Cougars’ program.
During her four years as a goalkeeper at NCAA Division III Vassar College, Walsh was a stalwart in net earning the respect of her teammates and coaches. She started in 54 of the 56 games that she appeared in, leading the Brewers to multiple Liberty League championships (2017,2019) and their first NCAA Tournament appearance (2018) in program history. Walsh enjoyed a decorated collegiate career, earning multiple All-Liberty League selections and breaking several program records in only three seasons, including career shutouts (18), career wins (29), and wins in a single season (11). These accolades earned her a nomination for the Matthew Vassar Outstanding Career Award in 2021. She was also the first to captain her team through a global pandemic and a gameless season in 2020, which was a challenging season that helped Walsh strengthen her leadership abilities and realize her passion for coaching.
Walsh credits her strength and confidence on the field to her hard work in Vassar’s varsity weight room. In 2020, Walsh received the Iron Brewer Award for her commitment to improvement and excellence in strength and conditioning. She was named an All-American Strength and Conditioning Athlete of the Year by the National Strength and Conditioning Association in 2020. She is currently certified as a personal trainer through the National Academy of Sports Medicine and uses her certification to help other members of the Clark community stay active.
In addition to working with the Clark University women's soccer team, Walsh currently works as a goalkeeper trainer for New England Football Club. She also spends her summers as the Head Women's Soccer Coach for the semi-professional UWS team, Worcester Smiles FC-- a program that champions the growth of women's sports and connects female role models with the Worcester community.
Walsh graduated from Vassar College in 2021 with a Bachelor of Arts in history and psychology. She also began Clark’s prestigious Master of Teaching (MAT) program in the fall of 2021. In addition to her academic degree, Walsh also holds a USSF "D" License as well as a 11v11/Pre-National, Goalkeeping 1, and Goalkeeping 2 Diplomas through United Soccer Coaches (formerly the NSCAA).
