DILLSBURG- Northern York high school’s Lobar Inc Field hosted a second straight District 3 playoff game, after their win against Daniel Boone, they hosted Cocalico at 6:30 on Thursday evening. Behind two goals from Northern’s Liv Goretski, the Bears shutout the Cocalico Eagles, 3-0.
If Northern has anything, they have a strong defense. Not only did they complete the playoff shutout, but they had few close calls around the net, with the exception of two in the later stages of their win.
“Having a big zero on the board for the other team is such a good statement for our whole team. Our defense has been so strong the whole season … I don’t think there’s a better defense in the District.”, Northern Junior Liv Goretski said postgame.
The Defense for Northern is led by Senior Sophie Lodovici. Lodovici is a soccer player through and through, making big moves in PIAA play with the Polar Bears, and also playing with Mechanicsburg based club-team Keystone FC. Lodovici committed to Anderson University on August 9, right before games in this season kicked off. Lodovici, as well as the defense as a whole, showed out tonight in the win.
Besides the defense, Northern’s midfield play really set up the shot takers for good shots, and the Bears took those shots, specifically junior Liv Goretski. Goretski tallied two goals, the first two for Northern tonight. The first goal came with just 15:50 left to play before halftime, and it counted as the only first half goal.
“I think before the game we talked about just feeling out the first 10 minutes of the game, because we’ve never seen this team before”, Goretski spoke on the slow start, then said, “Once we figured that out, it was just uphill from there.”
Goretski then tallied an unassisted goal to start off second half play.
Sydney Waits also got into action, with two assists. She’s known for speed, and is also known to take over a game in necessary, but tonight, she was a great role player for the Bears, and was part of a great midfield that set up the goals nicely for Northern. Waits assisted Goretski’s first goal, and assisted Abby Freese within a couple minutes time of Goretski’s second goal.
Northern will travel to fellow Mid-Penn team, in 2 seeded Lower Dauphin. Lower Dauphin is coming off of a 5-0 win against Fleetwood, and previously they handled Middletown, and won 5-1 behind a hat trick from Laylah Snow.
Postgame, Northern’s head coach Seth Lehman says he’s letting his team enjoy tonight, “I want them to enjoy tonight. Celebrate tonight and come back to work tomorrow.”
So, Northern will continue the work during tomorrow's practice, and prepare for the Falcons, who’ve put together a strong season, and after two playoff wins, hold a 16-3-1 record. Northern will visit Lower Dauphin on Monday, October 31 at a time TBD. It’s a marquee match-up between the 3A 2 and 3 seed.
Northern, with this win, clinched at the very least, a double elimination system. The District 3 3A bracket allows for 3 team to make it to the PIAA tournament, meaning even if Northern falls to Lower Dauphin on Monday, they’ll be entered into the 3rd place game, who’s winner will make the state tournament.
As for Cocalico, they finish the season in this game, closing with a 13-5-1 record.
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