The 2018 field hockey season is still ongoing as the Eastern Eagles head off to play Fairleigh Dickinson University on Wednesday Oct. 31st for their first game of the playoffs. Conference play started off a little rocky as they had a few losses to some critical conference opponents like Desales and Wilkes; but the Eagles came back with a drive that lead them to win against the defending conference champions, Misericordia They also defeated Manhattanville and Delaware Valley which scored them a solid spot in the MAC freedom tournament.
The team works extremely hard, pushing themselves and one another everyday at practice. The coaching staff, as well as the team, holds each other accountable for fundamental field hockey and mental toughness that in all, has been greatly beneficial to the team’s success. Not only does the team have dedication and unity on the field, but they have a bond and a genuine joy to be out there together. Seniors Alison Hoag and Macey Talhelm have been great leaders and contributors to the team on and off the field. They both have put points on the board and have rallied the team in times of need that has strengthened the girls as a whole. Ali Balmer, one of three captains has also been a significant figure on the team, as she too has scored goals for the Eagles and shown leadership through her sophisticated and skilled play along with her mature behavior off the field.
All members of the team are very skilled and hardworking girls that have a fight within them to get the job done and show how their field of play will lead to success. The field hockey program here at Eastern is a great program that teaches discipline and also forms strong, positive relationships between coaching staff and players.
Going into the playoffs, I feel very confident that the team will battle for a conference title, the team will rally together strong and proud as they show what they’re capable of. The Eagles have worked extremely hard and have made it far, but there is still more work to do and they have the ability to do it. Alison Hoag, a senior captain gave a comment about how she feels going into playoffs next week, stating “We are super excited to be making another appearance in the MAC freedom playoffs, especially after a hard fought season this year! We know our job is not complete, so we are extremely excited to be spending more time training and working hard, together, for the MAC freedom champion title!”
Daniel Finegan 
Will Cunningham 
Paul McConnell