ST. DAVIDS, Pa.– Eastern University Men's Soccer opens the 2024 campaign with a home test against Ithaca College. In Head Coach Luca Mellor's second season, the Eagles will look to build off a 4-8-4 campaign that had the team in the mix in nearly every match.

The Eagles hope that an extra year of experience, several strong newcomers, and improved health in some key spots will be enough to convert close losses and ties into wins. Though the Eagles tied Widener on the second to last day of the year, their 1-5-1 mark put them in a tie for sixth in the league. MAC Commonwealth coaches picked the Eagles to finish back in sixth for this season.

With a pair of promising performances in preseason scrimmages under their belts, Mellor and his staff have optimism for the coming season. After scoring only 19 goals in 16 games last year, the Eagles put away 10 goals in 180 minutes of action in their two scrimmages. While scrimmages are only exhibition games, the Eagles have shown positive energy going forward and good chemistry in the attack.

Evan Cope played in only six matches in an injury shortened campaign last year. Even so, his four goals were still tied for the team lead. The senior forward scored 15 goals in 2022 and has 21 tallies in his career. As important, he and fellow Jacksonville, Fla. native Zach Sievert are showing very positive chemistry with Ethan Pfau in the attack. Both Sievert and Pfau finished with four goals in their rookie season last year. Cope scored nine goals in the league in 2022 and earned Second-Team All-MAC Commonwealth honors. Sievert earned second-team recognition last year.

Sophomore Osmond Chan will continue to lead the Eastern defensive efforts out of the midfield. A native of Hong Kong, Chan possesses an unusual mix of gritty ball winning and attacking flair. He earned Second-Team All-MAC Commonwealth Honors last fall. Mellor expects to see a variety of players compete for time around Chan in the midfield and in the back row. Junior goalkeeper Ty Bleiler has started 31 matches in his career.

The Eagles will open the MAC Commonwealth season at Messiah University on Oct. 5 and will wrap up the regular season at Widener on Nov. 2. The Falcons were tagged as favorites in the preseason poll, and the Pride were picked to finish second.

The top four teams in the league will qualify for the MAC Commonwealth Tournament which will begin on Tues. Nov. 5. The Tournament Champion will collect the leagues automatic bid (AQ) to the NCAA Tournament.