There were times Maris Stern didn't know if she wanted to play field hockey at the next level.

While competing at a Division 1 school was always a goal of hers, the Lehighton athlete was also aware of the demands she would face while continuing in the sport.This past summer, Stern did make the decision to pursue her dream. And recently, that dream became reality when she signed to become a member of the Temple University field hockey team."I always said I wanted to play Division 1," said Stern, who was a captain on the Indians' squad this past season. "When the realization came of possibly doing it, I had to think do I really want to give up all my time to do this ... When I was a sophomore I did a clinic (at Temple) and I didn't really know if I wanted to play or not (after high school).""It doesn't surprise me that she thought about playing or not," said Lamar Long, her high school coach the past few seasons. "Trying to figure out what you're going to do with the rest of your life is a big decision. Toward her junior year when she was thinking about it, she would say she didn't want her life to revolve around field hockey. And at the big schools they eat, breathe and sleep field hockey. I always thought, though, that she would play in college."Now that her choice is behind her, Stern is preparing for a new chapter in her life.And she'll be doing it with a team that is not only on the rise but also has a familiar face on it."I'm kind of excited to have the chance to go to Philly," said Stern, who is planning to major in business marketing and will be reunited with former Lehighton teammate Sarah Keer. "It has a lot of opportunities for multiple things. When I'm finished there with my business school, I can hopefully have internships or job opportunities there."I know I'll get a good business degree plus I get the opportunity to play at a Division 1 school ... Temple was ranked 17th after its season last year and we hope to improve that next year. I'm definitely excited to play with Sarah again. We have a connection when we play. We know where each other's going and we're always talking when we're playing. I'm excited to see her again and have her on my team again."The combination of Stern and Keer also has Owls' head coach Amanda Janney pleased.Having seen the two play together on the field, the Temple mentor has specific plans for her new recruit."I usually play midfield," said Stern, who started playing the sport in sixth grade. "I can play anywhere on the field, but all this year and my previous years in high school I've played midfield or defense. Now going in, (Coach Janney) wants me to play forward ... When she saw me play, it was at an indoor tournament and she saw me playing midfield. At that time I was playing with Sarah and we were working very well together, me passing up to her and her passing back to me. I think she just saw the connection and she knew I could provide offensive pressure."She said I know how you and Sarah work together and it would be very exciting for me to have that in the future."While the change in position may seem like a major issue, at least one person feels the transition will go smoothly."She's a very versatile player and could play anywhere," said Long. "If she learns the position, I think she'll have no problem excelling there. I think Temple is a great fit for her."Maris is an aggressive player who cares so much about the sport and will do anything to help her team. It was absolutely a pleasure to coach her. She was always positive, hard-working and supportive."Stern, the daughter of Larry and Anita Stern, lettered all four years for Lehighton and is also a hurdler on the Indian track team. As a freshman she was on the 2010 PIAA state runner-up squad."I hope to see some playing time as a freshman," said Stern. "You definitely have to work for your spot. She said I definitely have the opportunity. I just need to show that I can do it."I want to thank my parents, who have taken me everywhere and done everything for me. I also want to thank both my coaches, Coach Long and Coach (Shawn) Hindy, who have helped me out tons. All my teammates have helped teach me how to play and how to play together with people. And my whole family has always been there keeping me confident."