Men's Soccer: Man of many names, talents

They call him Doug. They call him Burnstick. They call him J-Burn. They also call him Dougie Fresh, Burnwall and Bernard, but that’s not his name. He is a junior defender who has quickly transitioned to help out on the offensive end of the pitch as the leading scorer this season for the men’s soccer team. His name is Joshua Doug Walburn.

His nicknames, while plentiful and perhaps excessive, are far from undeserved. Though head coach Jim Barlow ’91 originally scouted him as a solid defender, Barlow said he has been pleasantly surprised with Walburn, having never expected “how comfortable he would be getting into the attack or how dangerous he can be on restarts.”

Walburn has the ability to torch defenders unpredictably and has proved time and again that his ardent desire to help his team win is not easily sated.

His tenacity was fostered during his high school days, playing on the grassy fields of St. Louis Priory School.

“It was very different at first,” ? Walburn said of his transition to college. “ ?My high school team had a very winning mentality, and I think that that was something that was missing when I got here. I think this year we finally believe we can win, and it is showing on the field.”

In 2005, his high school soccer team went 26-0, a mark never achieved in Missouri State High School Activities Association history. Walburn also played for the Scott Gallagher Soccer Club, on which he won four state championships. And in 2006, the club finished third at the national championships.

During his four years at St. Louis Priory, Walburn amassed a laundry list of awards and honors for his soccer achievements — including an ABC League Player of the Year award in 2006 — while also playing on the high school’s baseball and basketball teams.

As the Princeton men’s soccer team has gotten out to a fast start this season, going 4-0 before losing a closely fought match 1-0 to Monmouth, it appears that Walburn’s playing ability and style have evolved just as much as the squad’s winning attitude.

“I think Josh has developed a lot since he has arrived at Princeton and is now a player with one of the most unique skill packages that I have ever seen: He is big, fast and strong, but can play with the ball at his feet,” senior forward Ben Harms said.

“He is now playing outside mid[fielder] — which at first seemed a peculiar spot for him — but it has turned out to be a good place for him to get into dangerous positions and maintain some offensive freedom.”

“He is also an incredible ball striker,” Harms added, “when he isn’t kicking it out of the stadium, which happens all too often.”

Harms and junior midfielder Tim Sedwitz were quick to make a few playful jabs at Walburn while they had the chance.

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“Josh is somewhat subdued in the locker room most of the time, and he would probably say that he ‘lets his play do the talking,” Harms said. “However, we all know that he doesn’t speak very well. He was going to be a math major. And to be honest, I wouldn’t say that he isn’t hairy.”

Sedwitz expounded on Walburn’s quirks and idiosyncrasies. “Josh really likes watching YouTube clips of kittens and other cute little animals.”

Cute animal obsession or not, his teammates still relished the opportunity to relate the stories of his atypical situations with the opposite sex.

“If I were you, I would watch out for this guy,” Harms explained.

Such a message may also provide an apropos warning for opposing teams when they square off against the Tigers this season.

Walburn has set his goals high and has developed the skills to attain more than his fair share of them.

He has already recorded five goals in just five games played this season. His most recent score, a brilliant header that gave Princeton a 1-0 lead less than a minute into the first half against Fairleigh Dickinson last Friday evening, showed not only his knack for finding the net but also his dedication to putting tallies in the Tigers’ win column.

“The only goal that I have for the season is to win the Ivy League championship. Our league is extremely competitive, and any team can win a game on any day,” Walburn said. “Winning the league and making a run in the tournament would be the perfect way to end the season.”

While Walburn’s teammates may have a few lighthearted quips about his personality and social agenda, the whole team recognizes his ability on the soccer pitch. “Josh is only scratching the surface for how good he can be. He has a great starting point with good feet, speed and athleticism,” Barlow said. “We expect him to continue to improve, to be an important part of our attack and to help us set up and score goals.”