'Overwhelmed with joy,' Lower Dauphin's Avery Pollock makes postseason appearance in Falcons round one of the PIAA Class 3A state tournament

Lower Dauphin senior Avery Pollock is the 2023 Falcons comeback kid. 

Pollock, one of the best high school field hockey players in the country, played her first game of the Fall season Tuesday. She played a few minutes in Lower Dauphin's contest against Cardinal O'Hara in the first round of the 2023 PIAA Class 3A state tournament. 

Injured earlier this year in a lacrosse game, Pollock has been rehabbing an ACL and meniscus tear. At the beginning of the season, she told FAN she had a goal of returning to the field in full uniform by the postseason. 

The ambitious, hard-working and awe-inspiring Pollock can now check that accomplishment off her list. 

"It was really fun to play with my best friends," she said.  "I was just overwhelmed with joy for every second I was out there for. Of course, I'm coming out a little bit rusty, since I haven't played in seven months. But, being on the field and playing the game I love again was enough for me to put all that to the side." 

Throughout the season, friends, family, and fans saw Pollock sidelined.

Oftentimes, she was warming up her teammates. She hit them balls to start a drill or cheered them on. Or, she was seen totally in the zone working on her stickwork looking slightly frustrated. 

Her love of the game has never been questioned. But, combining her love of the game and playing it with her best friends, that is at the heart of Pollock's emotional struggle. 

The Falcons are coming off the 2023 District 3 3A championship game losing to Manheim Township. The reigning PIAA Class 3A state champions are back at it to try to now reclaim the state title.

Last year's title holders saw Pollock score the winning goal for the Falcons against Wilson. 

As Lower Dauphin moves forward in the bracket, the Falcons are now scheduled to compete against a tough opponent. Conestoga remains undefeated on the season.

Pollock also helped LD advance to the championship game when the Falcons beat Conestoga in the 2022 semifinal round. 

This year, the two teams are meeting earlier in the quarterfinals on Saturday. Lower Dauphin is consistently one of the hardest teams to beat. But, this time, the Falcons are coming in the lesser seed and staring at a starting line-up that has remained perfect all season.

There's depth in each of its lines all the way back to the goalkeeper. It's unclear whether Pollock will see playing time against Stoga, LD head coach Erin Catalfano told FAN. 

"Going into Saturday's quarterfinal game, we are excited to play another highly competitive team," she said. "It’s been a competitive season for us and we look forward to the state bracket so we can compete against teams outside our district that we haven’t seen yet this season. Our strategy is to play our game, play it together and play it well. At this time of the year, we know every day together is a gift and we just want to make the most of it and have fun playing the game that unites our team together. It was a lot of fun to have Avery back on the field on Tuesday. She’s been an integral part of our development throughout the season and getting her on the field and in that Falcon Blue uniform was amazing. Her playing status is day to day as she works through her recovery with her family and medical team." 

Photo: 2022 District 3 Class 3A championship game of Lower Dauphin vs Wilson, (Bob Benscoter, November 2022)