MAC Players of the Week

9/7 – Christin Haas: Field Hockey

First-year midfielder Christin Haas earned MAC Freedom Conference honors early in her Eastern career for a huge performance in the Eagles 9-0 shutout of Gwynedd-Mercy College on Sept. 6.

In the team’s six-goal first half, Haas scored three times and assisted on two other scores. She added another assist in the second half against Eastern’s former PAC conference rival. For the season, Haas has four goals and four assists.

9/14 – Kara Hildebrand: Volleyball

After winning numerous player of the week awards in the PAC, junior outside hitter Kara Hildebrand claimed her first MAC Freedom honor for the week ending Sept. 14.

Hildebrand earned the title for her performance in the team’s first MAC competition against FDU-Florham on Sept. 9, where she racked up 13 kills, with a .632 hitting percentage. FDU-Florham was originally selected to finish above the Eagles in a pre-season poll, but Eastern cruised to a 3-0 victory.

At the time of the award, Hildebrand was tied for 14th in the nation for Div. III in hitting percentage and 15th for kills.

Hildebrand was recently recognized for earning her 1,000th career kill, becoming the fastest player to eclipse the mark. For the season she leads the 15-0 Eagles with 169 kills and a .353 hitting percentage.

9/14 – Laura Ressler: Field Hockey

Sophomore Laura Ressler earned MAC Freedom goalie of the week honors for her performance during the Eagles’ three-game week ending Sept. 14.

On Sept. 11 the Eagles took on #2 The College of New Jersey. Despite their 1-2 loss, Ressler held the Lions scoreless in the second period and two overtime periods, recording an impressive 12 saves.

Two days later the Eagles defeated Swarthmore, 2-1, with Ressler again keeping her goal empty with four saves. Ressler currently has 35 saves on the year and has only allowed seven goals.

9/21 – Michael Dorsch and Ryan Castle: Men’s Soccer

After big performances in their 1-0 overtime victory over Drew University on Sept. 17, senior midfielder Ryan Castle and senior goalie Michael Dorsch were named the MAC Freedom men’s soccer player and goalie of the week.

Dorsch kept Drew from scoring the entire game with seven saves. His presence in the goal allowed the team to enter the overtime period, setting up Castle’s game-winner. In the 93rd minute, Castle snuck around the defense to finish the match in dramatic fashion.

The game was Dorsch’s fourth shut-out of the year. The goalie has 27 saves already this season and has allowed eight goals. Castle currently has three goals off of nine shots.

9/21 – Maria Horning: Volleyball

First-year setter Maria Horning was named the MAC Freedom player of the week after the volleyball team’s impressive 5-0 week from Sept. 15-21, that culminated with a York College Best Western Westgate Invitational championship title.

Horning consistently puts up big numbers in assists for the undefeated Eagles, dishing out 36 in the team’s home opener against Manhattanville College on Sept. 17.

At the York tournament, Horning posted 25 assists in a 3-0 victory over Arcadia University and another 25 assists, with three solo blocks, as the Eagles defeated a strong Lebanon Valley College program 3-0. She added 36 assists in a 3-0 match against Rowan University and helped bring the team back in an intense and emotional five-game match against York College in the championship match with 46 assists and 18 digs.

At the week’s end, Horning has 167 assists, 47 digs, eight blocks, six kills and six aces. As of Sept. 14, she was ranked third in the nation in assists for Div. III programs. In addition, Eastern is ranked first in the nation in hitting percentage, largely in thanks to Horning’s steady hands. On the year, she currently has 535 assists, 116 digs and 27 blocks.