Erin Moran is relying on a strong local influence during her first season as head coach of the Wilkes University field hockey team.
Of the 21 players on the Colonels roster, 13, including starting junior forward Ali Dunn from Pittston Area, are Wyoming Valley Conference graduates.
Dunn showed off her scoring prowess in Friday’s season opener, needing just 8:50 to record her first goal of the season while helping the Colonels defeat host Susquehanna University, 2-1, in the Connie Harnum Classic, a four-team event scheduled to conclude Saturday.
Moran takes over a team that went 8-10 a year ago, including 4-3 in the Middle Atlantic Conference.
Dunn finished tied for second on the team with six goals. She played in every game, making 15 starts.
It was the second straight season with six goals for Dunn, who also had three assists and a game-winning goal during her freshman season when she appeared in 15 games and made 12 starts.
