Even before having played a game in the MAC, Eastern’s field hockey team already has a rival in their new conference. Alvernia College reached the PAC Championship game against Eastern each of the past three years, winning last year’s championship by the narrowest of margins in penalty shootouts. Alvernia will join Eastern in the Freedom Conference of the MAC this fall.
Senior forward Kim Campbell believes the conference switch will be a challenge but still has high expectations. “I hope we can win the conference and make it to the NCAA Tournament,” Campbell said.
Campbell and junior Lindsay Moyer return after being the team’s leading scorers last season with 15 and 14 goals, respectively. In all, 11 players will be returning from last season’s team, which finished 15-6 overall. A host of first-year players will also add to the team.
Senior back Leslie Messick has been impressed thus far by the newcomers. “The first-years are already adding to the team and it’s only the third day of preseason,” Messick said Wednesday. “We look great. I think we’re going to have a very successful season.”
Head Coach: Camrin Azzarano’07 Record: 15-6 (9-1 PAC)Must-See Games: Alvernia, King’s, Messiah, College of New Jersey,Montclair State, Rowan
Mikaela Brown 
Sophia Hunter 
Jayme Fisher