Laura Eyre (’22) has committed to Drew University to continue her athletic and academic career. Eyre will persist as a soccer goalie and also pursue a major in Neuroscience, biology, or chemistry.

Eyre has been playing soccer since she was 5 years old but did not realize that she wanted to play in college until her sophomore year of high school. After suffering two concussions in her freshman year and then getting diagnosed with Lymes disease the following fall, Laura was not permitted to play for Cherry Hill East girls soccer in her sophomore soccer season. Eyre credits this year with her decision to play college soccer; “When I couldn’t play in sophomore year, I realized how much I missed soccer”. In her time off from contact sports, Laura started rowing for a crew team and, despite her successful season, says it never compared to her love of soccer.

Eyre’s commitment process started with her return to being a club goalie on her PDA (Player Development Academy) team. On just her second game back, the head coach of the opposing team eyed Laura’s outstanding performance in the net and reached out to her closely after. This coach, James Wiegand, also doubled as a coach at the Drew Women’s soccer program and began talking with Eyre about a possible commitment.

As Laura continued to talk with Wiegand, she also explored some other colleges but said that “none really caught [her] attention”. Eyre says, “Drew is perfect for her as it is a small school close enough to home that her family and friends can come to support her at home games”. Additionally, Drew is one of the only schools in New Jersey that offers a Neuroscience major, which, although not yet decided, Laura is highly interested in.

Eyre notes that it will be a challenge to adjust to “college-level play”, but nevertheless she is excited to experience the change in competition and experience a “hungry” team dynamic. We can’t wait to see her do great things in this ongoing journey.