DeSales, who earned 66 points for the top spot, will return seven starters, including six who earned All-League Recognition in 2007. The Eagles, with 65 points, return several key contributors from their run to the second round of the NCAA Tournament. Eastern will look to Brian Raffle and Terry Fry as well as a strong group of incoming players to make up for the loss of three of the top four scorers from 2007.
“For the past couple of years, our recruiting classes have gotten better and better,” Eastern University Head Coach Mark Wagner said.  “This year’s class from back to front is our most complete recruiting class.  Many players are coming in with high levels of experience already.”
In addition to new players, the Eastern team will begin 2008 with a strong returning defensive core built in front of goalkeeper Michael Dorsch. The senior from Wilmington, Delaware emerged in the second half of the 2007 campaign as a force in the Eastern net, and claimed the starting job with a stellar .56 goal average for the year. 
The coaches selected Wilkes University to finish third and Misericordia to finish fourth.
The Eagles open the year at the Franklin and Marshall Tournament on Saturday, August 30, and will begin play in the Freedom Conference at King's College on October 4. For the full men’s soccer schedule, visit http://www.goeasterneagles.com/index.php?sc=1&Itemid=210.