Olivia Anderson, Keairah Dykes net hat tricks as Northern field hockey advances in PIAA 2A tourney - pennlive.com

Northern's Maura Simpson (2) drives downfield against Hershey during the District 3 Class 2A semifinals earlier this season. Simpson scored two goals as Northern defeated Dallas, 8-0, in a first round PIAA Class 2A game Tuesday night. FILE PHOTOEVAN WHEATON | PENNLIVE

DILLSBURG – The Northern field hockey team showed no signs of a letdown following its loss to Warwick Saturday in the District 3 Class 2A championship game.

In fact, the Polar Bears looked like a team on a mission Tuesday night in the first round of the PIAA Class 2A tournament while playing on their home field for the final time this season.

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This one counts — a goal by MJ Simpson in the 11th minute gives Northern a 1-0 lead over Dallas. @NHSpbears pic.twitter.com/W2EwBABYqw

Northern’s Olivia Anderson and Keairah Dykes recorded hat tricks and Maura “MJ” Simpson scored a pair of goals as the Polar Bears defeated Dallas, 8-0.

The Polar Bears (20-3) will face Upper Perkiomen (14-7-2) in Saturday’s quarterfinal round at a site and time to be determined.

The victory marks the third time in program history that a Northern team has advanced to the state quarterfinals. This Polar Bears club, with a win Saturday, would become the first to make the state semifinals.

Dallas finishes its season with a record of 16-5-1.

Olivia Anderson with some slick stick work scores a goal in the 25th minute and Northern leads Dallas 2-0. @NHSpbears pic.twitter.com/cLVuT5hFMU

GAME DECIDING MOMENTS

Simpson recorded the game’s first tally of a corner play in the 11th minute. Anderson gave Northern a 2-0 lead in the 25th minute, showing off some nifty stick skills on a corner play.

The Polar Bears added four third quarter goals, two from Dykes, one from Anderson and another from Simpson to open a 6-0 edge. Anderson and Dykes recorded fourth quarter markers to complete their respective hat tricks.

Northern’s defense did not allow Dallas a shot on goal.

THEY SAID IT

Northern field hockey players Olivia Anderson, left, and Keairah Dykes spoke with PennLive after an 8-0 win over Dallas in a PIAA Class 2A first round game. @NHSpbears pic.twitter.com/npKUlg4j5w

“I couldn’t picture anything more perfect for our first round of states, bouncing back from Saturday and moving into the next round on this win. A great way to end our games on this field for the season. We had a really good practice (Monday), they were in really good spirits, we talked about things we could improve upon, we talked about highs and lows of the game, so coming into the game, everything felt really good,” – Northern head coach Amelia Martire.

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