PRINCESS ANNE, Maryland — The University of Maryland Eastern Shore women's bowling squad travels to Deptford, New Jersey this weekend for the Northeast Classic hosted by Long Island University & Sacred Heart University.

"We have had a few situations come up over the last two weeks, so we didn't really have all six bowlers together for a practice until Wednesday really," Eastern Shore head coach Petrin said. "All in all I feel like we have had some good energy among those who were in the center together, so everything feels pretty good heading into the weekend and we are going to continue making the strides that we have been talking about and putting focus toward."

The Hawks (33-27, 3-5 MEAC) — ranked No. 18 in the National Tenpin Coaches Association poll — will be playing five-game Baker matches on Friday (Jan. 20), followed by five Traditional Matches on Saturday and bracket play on Sunday. The 20-team field is a brutal one and includes: No. 1 Sam Houston State, No. 2 McKendree, No. 4 North Carolina A&T State, No. 5 Vanderbilt, No. 8 Youngstown State, No. 9 Mount St. Mary's, No. 10 Maryville, No. 11 Stephen F. Austin, No. 12 Duquesne, No. 14 Delaware State, No. 15 Fairleigh Dickinson, No. 17 Long Island, No. 19 Sacred Heart, No. 20 Wisconsin-Whitewater, No. 22 Lincoln Memorial and No. 25 Monmouth.

"It's another strong field for us," Petrin said. "I think we are all excited to get on the lanes as a full group again and get after it."

Eastern Shore last competed at the Stormin Blue & White Vegas Classic where they went 8-5 on the weekend.