- "I made VWC my top choice because I really liked the school size and the people I met when I visited, and it's close to the beach"
- Selected Virginia Wesleyan over Bridgewater College, Lebanon Valley College, the University of Albany, Siena College, and the University of Tampa
Career Highs
Goals: 1 – (4x, most recent, Delaware Valley - 3/8/17)
Assists: 2 – (Greensboro - 2/25/17)
Points: 2 – (2x, most recent, Greensboro - 2/25/17)
Ground Balls: 7 – (2x, most recent, Randolph - 4/22/17)
Caused Turnovers: 3 – (3x, most recent, Hampden-Sydney - 4/26/17)
Face-Off Wins: 6 - (6-15 - at Lynchburg - 4/29/17)
2016-17 ODAC All-Academic Team
2015-16 ODAC All-Academic Team
Senior (2017): Started all 16 games as the leader of the defensive unit… Set a career high with two assists in a win over Greensboro on February 25… Scored a goal against Delaware Valley on March 8… Led the team in ground balls (53) and caused turnovers (25)… Had seven ground balls and two caused turnovers against Randolph on April 22 and Delaware Valley… Spent some time in the face-off circle late in the season, going 15-for-38 (39.5%)… Won 6-of-15 face-offs at Lynchburg on April 29.
Junior (2016): Started all 17 games along the back line for the Marlins… Scored a goal and contributed an assist against Christopher Newport on March 23… Corralled five ground balls while causing two turnovers, matching career highs in both categories, in a victory over New England College on March 9… Scooped 27 ground balls, while finishing third on the team with 16 caused turnovers.
Sophomore (2015): Played in 15 games, making starts in each… Season-best five ground balls in a 13-5 victory over Greensboro College on March 22… Caused a pair of turnovers in the season opener against Ferrum College.
Freshman (2014): Started 10 of his 15 appearances as a first-year defenseman… Scored a goal against Roanoke College on March 22… Had four ground balls and a caused turnover at Randolph-Macon College on April 23… Caused two turnovers in each of the first three games of the year.
Academic Accomplishments: Presidential Scholarship recipient… Three-time Dean’s List honoree.
Before VWC: Competed in lacrosse and soccer at Westminster… Helped guide Westminster to a 19-0 record and Maryland Public Secondary Schools Athletic Association's 4A/3A state championship as a senior… On the state runner-up team as a junior.
Personal: Son of Nancy and Brent Merrill… Has one brother, Greg.
Get to Know Evan
- Enjoys the music of Holygrail and spending vacation time in Florida
- A fan of hockey's Alexander Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals
- Favorites include the movie "Warrior" and the TV series "How I Met Your Mother"
- Self-description in 10 words or less: "hard-working individual with a passion for success"
- My favorite aspect of being an athlete is: "the competition"
- The part of my game I've improved the most is: "conditioning"
- My personal athletic goal at VWC is: "to win a conference championship and make the NCAA tournament"
- If I could spend one day with a famous person from any time period it would be: "Michael Jordan, because he is a great inspiration in the way he overcame adversities to become the greatest basketball player ever"
- People might be surprised to know: "I love playing "Call of Duty"
- It's the year 2030 and: "I am working at a successful company doing something I enjoy"
- The most important advice I've received is: "it's alright to fail, as long as you learn from it and improve"
