COLUMBUS – Being a freshman, Ella Morelli knew if she wanted to contribute for the Northern Burlington field hockey team that she was going to have to step up her game. A step is one thing, but Morelli has taken her game to a whole new level. Morelli was the catalyst for the offense, and when the No. 5 Greyhounds got the lead the defense took over as Northern took a tough 4-2 win over No. 12 Mainland under the sun in Columbus in a South Jersey Group III contest played on the grass. The win advances the ‘Hounds to the quarterfinal against No. 3 Clearview, which defeated No. 13 Triton, 11-0. “We knew coming in that we needed to win this game,’’ said Morelli. “It was either go big or go home. We have been working hard all season and now we are moving on, which is great.’’ After a scoreless first period, Northern (13-4-2) got a pair of second-period goals from Morelli to grab a 2-0 lead at halftime. “I knew I needed to come out strong,’’ said Morelli, who had two goals and two assists. “I got a pass and I’m strongest on my backhand, so I took a shot and got it in the goal. The second was a quick shot and I hit the backboard and it was nice.’’ It has been an awesome freshman season for Morelli as she leads the team with 19 goals and 45 points. “I knew coming in that I wanted my spot on varsity,’’ said Morelli. “I worked hard through preseason to get this spot and I’m very grateful for it. I wanted to step up my game and step up for everyone else.’’ Despite Morelli’s heroics, it was far from over, though, as Mainland (10-6-3) battled back in the third period to tie the game at 2-2 with 8:24 left in the quarter. The Mustangs got goals from Elaina Dinofa and Molly McCully. But, a time out by NBC coach Danielle Andreula lit a fire under the ‘Hounds and Riley Hoffman score just 64 seconds later. “It took us a while to get started and once we got it started Ella (Morelli) got the shots in and we got the ball moving, “said Andreula, who was an All-NJAC player and national champion at TCNJ. “One of my takeaways is that no matter who you play or what seed you are if you let up it could be anyone’s game.’’ The Greyhounds got some insurance with 1:39 left in the game when Riley Pieloch caged her ninth goal of the season. Riley’s sister Kyla Hoffman, one of the two seniors on the Northern roster was the anchor on the defense. Being one of the leaders on the team means something special to Kyla. “I enjoy being one of the leaders and it’s a little hard with only two seniors (Jillian Watson, the other), but I love having all these younger girls support me,’’ said Kyla. “It’s been amazing year and this year having my sister on the team and having everyone play to their absolute best and I’m really grateful for it all and couldn’t ask for anything more.’’ Well, there was one thing Andreula and the ‘Hounds can wish for and that’s a few more goals off corners, as Northern has 16 penalty corners. “We need to start scoring on the corners,’’ said Andreula. “If we can cause them we have to finish them.’’ Mainland (10-6-3) 0 0 2 0 – 2 No. Burlington (13-4-2) 0 2 1 1 – 4 Goals: M: Dinofa, McCully. NB: Morelli 2, R. Hoffman, Pieloch. Assists: M: Crozier-Carole.  NB: Morelli 2. Shots: M: 4, NB: 17. Saves: M: Emma Tomlin 13, NB: Megan Renninger 2.