BLOOMSBURG - West Perry’s talent and skill level weren’t a surprise to Palmerton.

But that didn’t make containing the Mustangs any easier.

A West Perry team that featured three Division 1 recruits in its starting lineup put on a dominating performance and rolled to a 6-1 victory over the Blue Bombers in the quarterfinal round of the PIAA Class 1A field hockey playoffs on Saturday at Central Columbia High School.

“We knew how good a team West Perry was coming into the game,” said Palmerton coach Megan Leadbetter. “They have outstanding talent all through their lineup.

“The Division 1 girls they have are excellent. But it’s not just one, two or three great players ... they have talented players at every level up and down the lineup.”

As deep and talented as the Mustangs were, no player stood out more than University of Iowa recruit Jordan Byers. Byers - who is only a junior - had a hand in all six West Perry goals, scoring four times and assisting on two.

“I thought we played a very good game,” said West Perry head coach Wendy Byers - the mother of Jordan. “We were communicating and passing the ball really well.

“Jordan did a nice job converting her opportunities. But she had a lot of help. It was a nice team victory. Everyone did their job.”

Freshman Madison Bell got things started for the Mustangs (22-2) when she took a pass from Byers and scored with 4:06 left in the first period.

The margin grew to 4-0 at halftime as Byers scored three second-quarter goals, combining impressive stick work with a powerful shot to score unassisted goals at the 13:39, 11:24 and 1:20 marks of the quarter.

“Give them their props,” said Leadbetter. “Byers is outstanding, and they just keep constant pressure on you.”

To Palmerton’s credit, it never quit despite the large halftime deficit.

The Blue Bombers (15-6) answered just over three minutes into the second half when Sydney Frantz found the back of the net to make it 4-1.

“We talked at halftime about not dropping our heads and continuing to battle, and our kids did exactly that,” said Leadbetter. “I’m proud of how we battled, continued to play hard, and have fun out on the field.

“But I wouldn’t expect anything else. This is such a great group of kids. The last few years, they’ve taken Palmerton field hockey to a new level.”

It’s a level that West Perry’s Byers had plenty of respect for.

“We watched Palmerton’s first-round game against Central Columbia, and knew they had some good players,” said Byers. “No. 7 (Celeste Hoffman) and No. 8 (Frantz) are both talented players. So we knew we had to come ready to play and couldn’t take them lightly.”

Any Bomber comeback hopes after Frantz scored were quickly erased as Shay Dyer scored off an assist from Byers with 5:58 left in third quarter. Byers then capped her big day with a late fourth-quarter goal.

“We only lose three seniors,” said Leadbetter. “Sydney (Frantz), Celeste (Hoffman) and Skylar (Kohler) are leaving an unbelievable legacy behind them.

“We are going to miss them tremendously. But I’m so excited about where this program is and all the players we have returning.”

DIVISION I TALENT ... In addition to Byers who has verballed to Iowa, West Perry senior Molly Zimmerman has signed with Villanova and Mustang junior Autumn Albright has verballed to Penn State.

NUMBERS ... West Perry outshot Palmerton 24-5 and had 10 corners to the Bombers’ two. Palmerton goalie Sarah Sabo made nine saves.

ADDING TO HER RECORD ... Frantz’s goal was the 68th of her career. She leaves Palmerton as the school’s career leader in both goals and assists (48).

UP NEXT ... West Perry - the No. 5 seed out of District 3 - advances to the Class 1A semifinals where it will face District 3 No. 1 seed Oley Valley on Tuesday at Lower Dauphin High School.