LATHAM, N.Y. - The United East has released its preview of the 2023 field hockey season. This will be the first year the United East has sponsored field hockey although it previously homed field hockey as late as 2019 under the conference name North East Athletic Conference (NEAC).
This year, five teams will represent the conference with the postseason including the top-four teams in the standings. The Championship semifinals will be held on November 1 and the winners of those two contests will square off in the Championship Final on November 4.
Wilson College
Head Coach Shelly Novak, in her 20th season at the helm, leads the Wilson College Phoenix into 2023 after finishing 2022 with a 12-4 (5-0 CSAC) record and their 3rd straight CSAC championship (2019, 2021, 2022). The 2023 schedule has a challenging non-conference slate including McDaniel, Christopher Newport, Shenandoah, and Eastern Mennonite. Paige Ney (So.,Fwd, 13 G, 2 A, 2nd Team All-Conference) and Brea Kelso (Jr., Fwd, 10 G, 7 A, 2nd Team All-Conference) lead the front line while Hailey Steele (Jr., Def. 1G, 4 Defensive Saves) is an experienced presence on defense.
Coach’s Outlook: “We are looking forward to the season. We have a great foundation of returners and a talented incoming class. They are already coming together off the field, and I am very happy with the team chemistry.”
Bryn Athyn College
Head coach Cheyanne Asplundh begins her second season in charge of the Bryn Athyn field hockey program looking to build in 2023. Junior Avo Fino returns after a sophomore year where she earned Second Team All-Conference honors. Sophomore Alexis Brown got an Honorable Mention nod as well. The Lions open up on Saturday, September 2 at home vs. Wilkes.
Cedar Crest College
Cedar Crest College has a new Head Coach in Joan Johnson and an experienced team looking to stay on top of the conference standings in 2023. The Falcons bowed out in the CSAC Semi-Finals last year after a 4-2 conference record and return graduate student Emily Demarest for her 5th year at midfield. Senior Adriana Hinkle returns after putting up 24 points and a Second Team All-Conference season in 2022 while sophomore Olivia Horninger started 16 out of 17 games on defense last season.
Coach’s Outlook: “We will look to build a great field hockey foundation and begin our own traditions of a winning legacy at Cedar Crest. I am very excited to be a part of the Falcon family and to be coaching in the heart of field hockey country.”
Keystone College
After falling to Wilson in the CSAC Championship last season, the Giants are looking to repeat the successes of 2022 (9-9; 4-1 CSAC) in Head Coach Erin McGinley’s 1st season. The non-conference schedule includes matches with RPI, Stevens, Ramapo, and Susquehanna. Angelina Morley returns after a 2022 that saw her win CSAC Defensive Player of the Year, First Team All-Conference, 2nd Team All-Region, and 2nd in NCAA Division III for defensive saves with 12. Maria Tomada (Sr. 14 G, 9 A, 1st Team All-Conference 2022) and Belen Rodriguez (So. 14 G, 3 A, 1st Team All-Conference 2022) return to lead the attack.
Coach’s Outlook: “I am very excited to hit the ground running and looking forward to creating even better athletes this fall. I am hoping to share some new experiences with the girls this season.”
Lancaster Bible College
Lancaster Bible College returns an experienced team looking to improve on last season’s campaign (3-13; 1-4 CSAC) and get into the playoffs this year after missing the postseason by one game in 2022. With Head Coach Becky Elliott beginning her 6th season, the Chargers will be led on defense by Alyssa Hamilton (Jr. Defender, 1st Team All-Conference 2022), Haley Stahl (Jr. Defender, 2nd Team All-Conference 2022) and Amanda Hoover (So. GK, Rookie of the Year 2022). Offensively, LBC returns their two top point scorers in Hannah Hoffman (6 G, 2 A) and Molly Gray (3 G, 1 A).
Coach’s Outlook: “We are starting our 5th competitive season in our young existence. Our returners have been battle tested, playing almost every minute of every game the last two years. They are tough and hungry! Their experience and leadership will be a tremendous asset as we bring in a class of first years that have a ton of experience in high school and on the club circuit. We are looking forward to being competitive in the conference and our non-conference games.”
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The United East boasts 17 NCAA Division III full member institutions which include: Bryn Athyn College, Cairn University, Cedar Crest College, Clarks Summit University, Gallaudet University, Keystone College, Lancaster Bible College, Notre Dame of Maryland University, Penn College, Penn State Abington, Penn State Berks, Penn State Harrisburg, Rosemont College, Saint Elizabeth University, St. Mary's College of Maryland, University of Valley Forge, and Wilson College. For more information, please visit gounitedeast.com.