Freedom senior Aly Laubach signed a National Letter of Intent to play field hockey at Mercyhurst University, Erie, Pa., on Nov. 13 at Freedom.

Freedom field hockey coach Chelsea Quinn spoke about Laubach’s athletic achievements in front of a standing-room-only crowd as well as noting Laubach’s unyielding willingness to help and teach other field hockey players in the Bethlehem Area School District.

Laubach, a midfielder, is a multisport athlete, something that Freedom softball coach and Laubach’s mother Michele said will serve her well.

Laubach also competes in wrestling in addition to softball and field hockey.

“I love the team aspect of field hockey, working together, and having the support of other teammates. I’ve loved field hockey since middle school, and I knew I wanted to pursue that in college,” Laubach said. “I’m really happy that a lot of people support me and even though I’ve moved on from field hockey and will play in college, all of them still showed up today.”

Laubach knew she belonged at Mercyhurst after her first visit.

“I love the atmosphere,” she said. “I had a visit there for the first time and knew that’s where I wanted to go. The coaching staff is amazing and they supported me throughout this, and the team environment is what I was looking for in a college.”

Mackenzie Hadfield is Mercyhurst field hockey’s head coach.

“She’s great,” said Laubach. “She prides herself on putting people and their mental health before sports. She says you’re a person before you’re an athlete. She focuses on each individual person, and she is so caring about her athletes and she strives for greatness in her program. It’s a super welcoming environment.”

Mercyhurst is a newly Division 1 school as of this past spring and effective this past fall.