Soccer player Trisha Walter does not wear lucky socks or listen to certain CDs before her games.

“I’m not too much for the superstitions,” the freshman midfielder explained.

But after scoring two goals Sunday in the Panthers 3-1 victory over Samford, this week’s Top Cat obviously doesn’t need much luck.

She’s got talent and skill on her side.

With mother Shelly and step-dad Mike cheering in the stands, the Alton native made her 13th start of the season against the Bulldogs and became the team’s second leading scorer with 13 points.

Walter said a big motivation is her parents’ frequent attendance at home games.

It “makes you want to play better,” she said. “You don’t want them to drive two hours to watch you and your team play really bad.”

The consideration Walter has for her family reflects how she feels about her close-knit team.

She is quick to declare the team-not personal interest-comes first.

“That’s what I care about right now,” she said. “What our team does and not about me personally.”

Take her effort against Samford, for example.

“It was awesome,” Walter said of her two goals that secured the win and helped propel the Panthers to the top of the Ohio Valley Conference standings.

She was most excited to be able to contribute to the team effort as a whole.

“It was good for the team because it helped us to stay in the game and not fall apart,” she said.

Roommate Amy Dix, a freshman defender, said Walter’s easy-going attitude helps her get along well with everyone on the team.

“She leads by example,” Dix said of her more reserved teammate.

“I’m loud off the field, but not so much on the field,” Walter agreed.

Playing soccer since the age of five, Walter has grown accustomed to being on the field.

“It’s what I’ve always done,” she said. “I couldn’t imagine not playing it.”

Steve Ballard, in his ninth season as the women’s soccer head coach, had nothing but praise for the freshman standout.

“She’s one of the strongest soccer players I’ve ever had at Eastern,” Ballard said. “When Trish is on, she gives everything she has.”

Dix cited Walter’s incredible work ethic as a big reason for her success at Eastern.

Ballard agreed.

“She could be one of the top 100 soccer players in the country in a year,” he said. “That’s pretty strong words, but she’s (that) good.”

Despite all this, Walter said she felt some pressure at the beginning of the season for having to replace former team-leader Cara LeMaster, whose NCAA eligibility ran out after last season.

“That’s all everyone talked about,” Walter said. “How fast she was and how good of a leader she was.”

But with 14 games under her belt, Walter is becoming more comfortable with her role on the team.

When asked what she wants to accomplish this season, Walter has only one thing on her mind.

“Just to keep playing my best and to help the team out as much as possible,” she said.