Feb. 23, 2005

STOCKTON, Calif. The Pacific Tigers field hockey team has announced the signing of Erin Harness (Carmel Valley, Calif.), Sasha Larsen (Vista, Calif.), Danielle Neault (San Diego, Calif.) and Erica Nestle (San Jose, Calif.) to National Letters of Intent for the 2005 season.

Harness, a midfielder/back from Carmel Valley, Calif., is currently a senior at York College Prepatory in Monterey, Calif. A four-year letterwinner, Harness was voted her team MVP during the fall and earned All-CCS (Central Coast Section) Honorable Mention. Following both her junior and senior seasons, Erin was named to the All-MTAL (Mission Trails Athletic League) First Team. She was also named to the All-MTAL Second Team as a sophomore. A two-time captain of her field hockey team, Harness also earned three letters in soccer and one in swimming.

"I have watched Erin improve greatly as a player over the past two years," said Pacific head coach Linda MacDonald. "With her committment and dedication to the game, she will continue to improve. I think she is capable of playing anywhere on the field."

Larsen is a defender from Vista High School in Vista, Calif. A four-year starter, Larsen led her squad to the 2004 Avocado League Championship last season. Sasha won the coaches award at Vista HS last season and was named the team MVP following the 2003 season. A two-year captain, Larsen was named to the All-CIF (California Interscholastic Federation) First Team as a junior and to the All-CIF Second Team last year. Sasha was also named to the San Diego Union Tribune All-Academic Team last year.

"Sasha is a strong defender with good patience. She is smart and has a good understanding of the game," said MacDonald. "I know she is working hard this spring to come into Pacific ready to play. We will be working her into our defensive rotation."

Neault is currently a senior at Torrey Pines High School in San Diego, Calif. Danielle was named Torrey Pines HS Most Valuable Defender following her senior season. She also earned All-Palomar League First Team and All-CIF First Team honors in 2004. A team captain as a senior, Neault was a member of the San Diego Union Tribune All-Academic Team and dubbed as a "Player to Watch" by the Union Tribune.

"Danielle comes from a strong program, with excellent coaching," said MacDonald. "She is a dedicated athlete and I expect her to contribute to the team immediately."

Nestle, a midfielder/back from San Jose, Calif., is currently a senior at Leigh High School. Voted her team MVP last season, Nestle was also named to the All-CCS First Team.

"As Erica adjusts to the speed of the college game, I expect her to be an exciting player to watch," concluded MacDonald.

"The group coming in for 2005 are strong both athletically and academically and have achieved considerable success through their high school years. Each one of these four competes year-round in either Futures or club play. I really feel that these four players will have an immediate impact on Pacific, both on and off the field," said MacDonald.