Season Wrap Up

In a School Where Football Takes Center Stage, Valley Lax Provides a Season to Remember

Kyle Stackpole

PV Sports Beat

When deciding to cover lacrosse for the PV Sports Beat, I wasn’t too sure what to expect. I had known nothing about the sport and didn't know how successful the team would be. As time went on, I realized Pascack Valley lacrosse gave me both interesting headlines to write about along with a season I will never forget.

Sure expectations were high, but no one thought the Indians would put together the season like this. The combination of senior leadership, explosive offense, and solid defense made the Indians a tough team to beat.

In a season filled with excitement and surprises, it only seemed fitting to make a list of the best 10 moments from the 2012 Boys Lacrosse season. It was extremely difficult to cut the list to 10, forcing me to leave out defining moments during Pascack Valley’s memorable season.

10) Holding on Against Dwight Englewood in Chilly Conditions

Despite the fact that the weather was cold and the Indians were sloppy, they found a way to slip past a good Dwight Englewood team by the score of 5-4. They could have easily given in and taken the loss, but held tough and showed that this team would never go down without a fight.

           

9) Easily Defeating St. Joes While Earning the County’s Respect

Although opening the season with a few wins, many in Bergen County thought it was a fluke. Their minds were changed after Pascack Valley defeated St. Joes 11-5. To furthermore prove their talent, goalie Kevin Switzer took the ball coast to coast to end the Green Knight’s hopes of mounting any sort of comeback. This was a statement game that showed that Valley wasn’t just here for a visit; they were here to stay.

8) Earning 6 Seed in the County Tournament

If someone said that Pascack Valley would earn the 6 seed in the county tournament, they would have been called crazy. Having never proved so before, no one could have thought the Indians would be as successful as they were this season. So when Valley earned the 6 seed and a rematch against River Dell in the first round, it turned the heads of many, finally giving credit to a Pascack Valley team that was well deserving.

7) Beating River Dell to move onto County Quarters

When coming into a county tournament type atmosphere, it is either win or go home. The Indians embraced the pressure that day, defeating River Dell 9-4 to move onto the Quarterfinals against Glen Rock. A county win was just another huge accomplishment on this year’s impressive résumé and the hopefully the first of many for years to come.

6) Giving Northern Highlands All They Could handle

By facing their first Gibbs Division opponent of the season, Pascack Valley knew what they would be up against. Although suffering a 10-7 loss at the hands of Northern Highlands, they received needed confidence for the rest of the season. This confidence carried over later in the reason in a game against Ramapo. (Will get to later).

5) The Emergence of the Core Four

They weren’t always called the Core Four. In fact, I am pretty sure no one calls them that but me. Nonetheless, these four players emerged during the middle of the season to take this team to new heights. The high level of play and focus demonstrated by Juniors Kevin Illian, Nick Sunseri, Mike Buldo Licciardi, and Nick Soravilla gave the Indians players to look up to and depend upon in late game situations. This development was truly one of the most important for Pascack Valley this season.

4) Defeating Pascack Hills in front of Hometown Crowd

With by far the biggest crowd of the year, the battle of the Regional wasn’t much of a contest. The Indians played flawlessly, defeating the Cowboys and giving the hometown crowd something to cheer about. In addition, it showed many of the students that Pascack Valley lacrosse was one of the best sports teams this school has to offer.

3) A Senior Night to Remember

Senior Night is always an emotional one and this wasn’t any different. Every single senior received the recognition they deserved, walking with their parents across the field to the applause of their fellow players, coaches, and fans. As for the game, Valley seniors went out on a good note, defeating Indian Hills 9-4. After a season of hard work and dedication, these seniors were finally awarded with a huge crowd to cheer them on as they played their last game in a green and white uniform.

2) Defeating Paramus to Earn First League Title

With a league title on the line, Pascack Valley turned in their best effort of the season, shutting out Paramus 13-0 to win the Curcio division for the first time in their young history. Too many times do teams come out flat in this situation, but Pascack Valley embraced the moment and made the most of it. With a banner hanging in the rafters of the gymnasium of the Indians, this will be a moment the school will never forget.

1) Pascack Valley 5, Ramapo 4

Who could forget the nail biter that was Pascack Valley against Ramapo. Coming into the game, the Indians had never beaten a Gibbs Division opponent and were determined to hand Ramapo a loss they had never expected. Everyone was on their A game, making it difficult for the Raiders to get anything going. After holding a 5-2 lead going into the fourth, Ramapo scored two goals to cut the lead to 5-4. In the longest 5 minutes of the season, Pascack Valley was able to hold off Ramapo 5-4 and give their school a result they could never forget. There was always a rivalry between these two teams in football, but this game marked the Valley-Ramapo showdown on the lacrosse field.

Before they leave Pascack Valley, I wanted to acknowledge the two captains who made this season worthwhile. I asked 3 questions and here is how they responded:

Questions:

1) Favorite Part of Lacrosse?

2) What you will miss most about the sport?

3) Are you playing lacrosse in college? (If so, where?)

Mike Vicchio #3

1) I have so much fun with my team. It's a great group of guys and I love lacrosse. We all have fun together.

2) I will miss how much fun it is to play with my team. I'm going to miss playing and hanging out with my teammates most. I never had this much fun playing lacrosse before this season.

3) No. I will probably play club lax at the University of Delaware.

Jeff Diorio #28

1)Everything

2)Everything

3) Yeah, hopefully on a club team.

Before focusing on taking final exams and looking forward to summer, I want to thank the players, families and coaches of the Pascack Valley Boys Lacrosse team. You guys have welcomed me into the lacrosse family with open arms and I wouldn’t cover any other spring sport.

Looking back, the season was somewhat like a roller coaster. It had its ups and downs, but never seemed to repeat itself. As a writer who has attended most of these games, I can honestly say that I have enjoyed every minute of it.

That's all for now. I truly thank the seniors for a magnificent year and hope to see them after high school to reminisce about an unforgettable season. I know one thing for sure. If need be, there is one place where I’m guaranteed to find these guys…

VEGAS.

Ramapo Defeats Pascack Valley, Moves on to Quarterfinals

Kyle Stackpole

PV Sports Beat

Ever since a 5-4 loss earlier in the season, Ramapo has been dying to get another shot at Pascack Valley.

They got their wish, drawing the Indians in the second round of the North 1 Group 2 state lacrosse tournament

Determined and focused, the Raiders made the most of their opportunity, defeating Pascack Valley 14-5 to advance to the quarterfinals.

Pascack Valley wasn’t able to get anything going on offense. The physicality of the Raiders proved too much to handle, as Valley was rarely able to get good looks at the net.

After scoring two minutes into the game, Ramapo scored 5 unanswered goals, giving the Raiders a 5-1 lead after the first.

The second quarter went back and forth with neither team have a significant edge. Each team scored 3 goals, making it 8-4 at intermission.

The turning point came in third period. Pascack Valley was motivated and controlled possession for most of the quarter. Surprisingly, they were shut out in the third, mostly because of missing easy shots and the fantastic goal keeping of Dylan Vaccarella. Instead of letting Valley back in the game, Vaccarella made save after save to preserve the lead.

After not being able to put in at least one goal when given so many opportunities, the Indians seemed deflated in the final period. Ramapo put in 5 goals during the fourth, making the score appear as though it was a blowout. By the time it was all over, Ramapo had secured the 14-5 victory and received the revenge they had hoped so dearly for.

Senior Zach Hirsch recorded a hat trick for Ramapo, who will now play Mercer County Champions and 3 seed Hopewell Valley in the quarterfinals.

Mike Buldo Licciardi led Pascack Valley with 3 goals, but other scorers like Kevin Illian and Nick Sunseri couldn’t seem to find the back of the net.

Although hoping for a better result in the state tournament, Pascack Valley has to be happy with the season they have had. This is the first team to win a league title and beat their first Gibbs division opponent in Ramapo.

When looking back on the history of Pascack Valley lacrosse, they will look at this team as the one who put Valley lacrosse on the map.

And knowing this team, they wouldn't want it any other way.

Valley Looks to Make a Run in State Tournament

Kyle Stackpole

PV Sports Beat

May has arrived and teams are looking to peak at the right time. Pascack Valley has been climbing the mountain to success all season and is determined to finally reach the top.

After their loss to Glen Rock in the Bergen County Quarterfinals, the Indians knew they still had a chance for a title.

The pairings for the North 1 Group 2 state lacrosse tournament were recently announced, with Pascack Valley earning the 6 seed and a first round matchup with Ramapo.

Those outside Bergen County claimed the top three seeds. Somerville, Chatham, and Hopewell Valley grabbed the 1,2, and 3 seeds respectively.

Usually in any tournament that involves the entire state, rematches are hard to come by. Lucky for the Indians, they will be up against a team who they already defeated 5-4 earlier in the season.

Although that win was their first against a Gibbs division opponent in the program’s history, the Indians mustn’t become complacent, as Ramapo will be looking for revenge.

If Pascack Valley is able to get past the Raiders, they will end up facing the winner of the 3 seed Hopewell Valley and 14 seed Allentown in the quarterfinals.

Since none of teams seeded ahead of them are teams in their division, Ramapo will be the only familiar opponent the Indians will see throughout the state playoffs.

With the talent and a tremendous goalie in Kevin Swtizer, Pascack Valley (13-4) sure has the firepower to make a run for the state crown.

They might even have a chance to play second seeded Chatham in the semifinals, who has a Pascack Valley teacher as their assistant coach.

Although that matchup may sound tempting, Valley must not look past Ramapo because in the state tournament, it is either win or go home.

The grueling practices and hard-fought games have prepared Pascack Valley for this moment. “The regular season has prepared us well,” said Senior Joe Farinelli. “It has kept us in shape and pushed us to get better.”

The preparation has ended and now it is up to the players to decide whether they want to pack it in or contend in June for a state title.

“The key to this game is defensive intensity,” said Fred Buldo-Licciardi, who has coached these players for many years through the junior lacrosse program.

Not only must the defense be intense, but everyone will need to be focused. One lapse in judgment could be the difference between the Indians spending Memorial Day weekend down the beach or on the practice field.

State Tournament Update

Pascack Valley earned the 6 seed in the North 1 Group 2 state lacrosse tournament and will play Ramapo in the first round.

Pascack Valley Shines on Senior Day

Kyle Stackpole

PV Sports Beat

After all the practices and games over the last four years, the seniors had one final chance to shine on their home field.

They went out with class, defeating Indian Hills 9-4 on Senior Day at Pascack Valley High School.

The seniors were honored before the game, receiving one final applause before they attend college in the fall. Each was announced individually, walking across the middle of the field with their parents. It was a fantastic moment all around, showing that hard work and determination really does payoff.

As for the game itself, it wasn’t always easy for the Indians. Although Kevin Illian scored in the first minute and the offense had plenty of shots on goal, they only held a 2-0 lead after the first quarter.

Indian Hills made it even closer, pulling within one goal halfway through the second. Junior Mike Buldo Licciardi scored with a minute left to give Valley the momentum and a 4-2 lead at the break. 

The key moment for Pascack Valley was in the third quarter. Juniors Nick Sunseri, Mike Buldo, and Kevin Illian all scored goals to make it 7-2 heading into the fourth. After playing poor in parts of the first half, the Indians showed their true colors after intermission.

The fourth quarter wasn’t one of much importance as Valley coasted to a 9-4 victory. The game ended with a roaring applause from the crowd, showing their appreciation for the seniors one last time.

The offense was extremely balanced for Pascack Valley as Illian led the charge with 3 goals while Sunseri, Buldo, and Farinelli added 2 goals each. Junior Nick Soravilla played a big role as well, dishing out 3 assists for the now 13-3 Indians.

After going undefeated at home and winning the first league title in school history, each of the 15 seniors have to feel proud in what they have accomplished.

 “Oh man it felt great knowing we finished it off with a win,” said captain Mike Vicchio, “and 11/14 at the X is great as well.”

Although it may seem like it, the season is still not over. Valley plays Wayne Hills on Tuesday before taking their chances in the state tournament.

No matter how many games this team plays, these players will always be remembered in the school community as the team that made Pascack Valley lacrosse relevant.

“I feel like I left what I needed to on that field,” added Vicchio, “but I wish it didn’t have to end.”

Everything does come to an end eventually, but there is one thing the Indians can do to extend the inevitable.

That is to keeping winning.

And these seniors know how to do that pretty well.

Valley Falls to Glen Rock in Bergen County Quarters

Kyle Stackpole

PV Sports Beat

Both Glen Rock and Pascack Valley both pride themselves on defense, making it a foregone conclusion that it would be a low scoring game.

Those who believed that would only have been half right.

At River Dell on Tuesday night, Pascack Valley fell at the hands of Glen Rock 11-3, ending their shot at a county crown.

The key for the Panthers was their defense, as Pascack Valley rarely had a good shot on goal. When they were able to get a clean look, goalie Jake Quiat was there, making 7 saves in the game.

After Pascack Valley scored 2 minutes into the game, Glen Rock scored 6 unanswered goals to take a 6-1 lead into halftime.

When Joe Farinelli scored with 3 minutes left in the third, the Indians cut the lead to 8-3, giving them a glimmer of hope.

Glen Rock proved too much however, scoring 5 more goals to finish the game with an 11-3 win. 

Senior Tim Miller put on a show once again for Glen Rock, scoring 4 goals and adding 3 assists. He now has 69 points on the season, which is good for the county lead. Mike Mount added 3 more goals for the Panthers, who improve to 13-0.

Although they lost, there was one player who stood out for Pascack Valley. Junior Kevin Illian scored 2 goals and had 1 assist. He wasn’t intimidated at all by the undefeated Panthers and continued to play his game.

The season isn’t over for Pascack Valley as they still have the state tournament to go along with a few more regular season games. This was a learning experience for the Indians, realizing the level of play needed to compete with the best of the best.

When asked what his team could take and use towards preparing for the state game, Nick Soravilla responded, “It means that we have to work twice as hard during practice to get ready for it.”

They don't have to mourn the loss for long as Indian Hills comes to town tomorrow to play Pascack Valley in one of their last regular season games.

“We have to take all these games seriously from this point on,” added Soravilla. “If we treat every game like it's a county game, it will only better prepare us for the state tournament.”

Pascack Valley Outlasts River Dell, Moves on to Quarterfinals

Kyle Stackpole

PV Sports Beat

The first game is always the toughest, especially in a one and done type of format.

Pascack Valley, seeded 6th,  passed the test with flying colors, defeating 11th seeded River Dell 9-4 in the first round of the Bergen County tournament.

Although having defeated the Golden Hawks earlier in the season 14-4, the Indians knew this was an elimination game and anything could happen.

Pascack Valley controlled the tempo, having multiple shots on goal in the first period. Although scoring only two goals in the first, they put the pressure on River Dell goalie Bob Sagerman early and often.

The key moment came during the second quarter when Pascack Valley scored 4 goals, taking a 6-1 lead into the half. The defense was fantastic once again, limiting shots on goal and matching the physicality of the Golden Hawks.

Juniors Kevin Illian and Mike Buldo Liccardi added goals to make it 8-2 after the third, ultimately putting the game out of reach. Liccardi led the team with 4 goals, while Illian added 3 goals for the Indians who improve their record to 12-2.

When asked about what his team needed to do to make a deep run in the tournament, Coach Craig Buckley replied, “In order for us to be successful in the county tournament, we need to continue to play strong on the defensive side of the ball as well as play an unselfish, "team" offense.  We have done both of these things very well up until this point and it needs to continue.”

If the offense can continue to produce goals and the defense keeps up the intensity, there is no reason why Pascack Valley can't shock the county and make a deep run.

Having advanced to the next round, Pascack Valley will play the winner of Glen Rock and St. Joe’s on Tuesday.

Whoever Pascack Valley ends up playing, they better realize that this team is on a mission and will not go down without a fight.

Pascack Valley Shuts Out Paramus to Earn League Title

Kyle Stackpole

PV Sports Beat

When lacrosse teams starting conditioning and lifting during the winter months, there are three goals they intend to accomplish.

The first is a league title, the second a county championship, and the third a state crown.

Pascack Valley accomplished their first goal Wednesday afternoon on their home turf. By shutting out Paramus 13-0, they are now the champions of the Curcio Division.

“It's a huge accomplishment, especially since it’s our first shut out of the year,” said defensive captain Jeff Diorio. “We can attribute a lot of our success to our communication and physicality.”

This has been a memorable season for the Indians and a league championship is just another accomplishment to add to the collection. These individuals believed they could make an impact on this level and that's exactly what they did.

Although the weather was slow to cooperate, the Indians came out focused and ready to play. When half time had come about, the Pascack Valley was sitting fittingly with an 8-0 lead. At that point, they could feel the league championship in their grasp.

With the county tournament soon approaching, teams want to be reaching the peak of their play at this time of the year. With that being said, this might have been the most complete performance the Indians had put in all seaon. The defense was incredible, pitching a shutout and only allowing a few shots on goal.

“It's also all about the box, added Diorio, “and keeping our play clean and not taking any penalties was a big part of our game.”

On offense, the scoring was balanced and it seemed as though everyone was looking for their teammates instead of looking for their own shot. When it was all said and done, 9 different players scored for the Indians, led by Kevin Illian who recorded a hat trick.

Of those 9 players, one of them was sophomore Brendan Morrissey, whose goal was his first of the year. Morrissey’s role has increased throughout the season and he will need to continue to produce for the Indians down the stretch.

When asked about his goal, Morrissey replied "It felt great and I had to give my team a little extra with my dance,"

The other player to record his first goal was Junior Kenny Sessa. He also filled in for Vicchio when needed and won almost all of his face-offs.

Coach Craig Buckley has to be happy with his team’s performance going into his team’s first county game against River Dell this Saturday. It seems as though it is all coming together at the right time.

Along with being proud of his guys, he was also drenched as Juniors Nick Soravilla and Kevin Illian gave him the well-known “gatorade shower”, symbolizing this fantastic accomplishment. He may have been soaked, but he couldn't have been mad because his guys had earned this moment.

“Defense wins championships, said Diorio, “and we're all really glad to be a part of the first league championship team here at PV.

With task one out of the way, Pascack Valley mustn’t become complacent and needs to continue to strive for success.

They will back on the practice field Friday afternoon with one thing in mind and one thing only.

A county championship.

And they have the pieces to do it.

Green and White Prevail in Front of a Huge Hometown Crowd

Kyle Stackpole

PV Sports Beat

There are many ways to lure students to particular sporting events, but giving out t-shirts may be the best one yet. The Indians had a gigantic crowd supporting them Monday afternoon and were determined not to disappoint.

After being teammates just of couple years before, players from Pascack Hills and Pascack Valley faced off in a battle to improve their record and more importantly, for bragging rights.

The Indians made it obvious they were ready to play, easily defeating the Cowboys 14-3, earning their 10^th win of the season, and giving the student section something to cheer about.

“It was awesome,” said Senior Captain Mike Vicchio, “I love playing in front of my family, friends, and classmates. The support from the crowd helps us play better and to dominate Hills in front of a good portion of the school was sick.”

Valley wasted no time fooling around as they scored two goals only 5 minutes into the game. By the time the Cowboys had time to blink, they were in a two-goal hole. The Indians added another, giving them a three-goal cushion heading into the second quarter.

The Cowboys did show some life in the second, scoring two minutes into the period, making it a 3-1 contest. They was as close as Hills would get as Pascack Valley added three goals by the end of the quarter, giving them a comfortable lead heading into halftime.

After Illian scored less than 30 seconds into the second half, the game was all but over.

Valley used the remaining time to give minutes to guys who usually don’t get a chance to play, letting them get accustomed to the varsity spotlight.

When it was all said and done, Valley came out victorious with a 14-3 win.

The highlight of the game (well at least for me) was seeing junior defender Ryan Foley sprinting down the middle of the field and scoring his first goal of the season. Although the game was out of reach that might have been the loudest the fans had cheered during the game.

As stated before, Pascack Valley now improves to 10-2 and will face Paramus on Wednesday.

“I had a great time because we were all feeling it out there,” added Vicchio, “and the fans loved it, especially vs. Hills.”

Hopefully this same fan base will support when Pascack Valley faces River Dell in their first county game Saturday at Pascack Valley High School at 2 pm.

When asked if Vicchio had any last words, he simply replied, “I love it. Vegas.”

Pascack Valley Lacrosse earns 6 seed in County Tournament

The seeds for the Bergen County Lacrosse tournament have been posted and Pascack Valley (10-2) has earned the 6 seed and will play the 11 seed River Dell in the first round.

The game will be played at Pascack Valley High School at 2 pm.

For all pairings for the tournament, here is the link

http://blog.northjersey.com/varsityaces/11201/boys-lax-bergen-county-tournament-seeds/#.T6AAmIek88w.twitter

In a Game of Experience, Juniors Pave the Way to Pascack Valley’s Success

Kyle Stackpole

PV Sports Beat

Even since third grade when lacrosse was only a small dose of what it is today, four kids started playing together, not knowing that they would be united today.

Many knew they had the potential to be a dynamic combination of players but didn’t expect it as too much hype could only lead to disappointment.

The hype was well deserved however because these four players have moved on to Pascack Valley and are now making a major impact on the varsity level. They account for more than 75% of their team’s points, making them as lethal of a combo as there is in the county. Talented Seniors Mike Vicchio, Joe Farenilli, and Erik Tracy contribute the other 25%.

When asked about when they knew they could make an impact on the Varsity Level, Soravilla replied, “As soon as we stepped on the field for the first time for our first game last year.”

Alan from the hangover would call them, “The Four best friends that anyone could have”, but I just like to call them The Core Four. The reason for the name is simple. Although only in their third year of high school, these individuals provide scoring and leadership to a team who has continued to improve since they have entered the program.

It is still early in the season, but it has become apparent that these four players will be the key to the team’s success going forward.  The defense will always be solid, but as the saying goes, “If you can't score, you can’t win.”

The chemistry they have built over the years cannot go unnoticed. It seems they know where each other will be at all times, making it almost impossible for the opposing defense to stop.

When asked about the chemistry between the four, Illian said, “We have learned each of each others tendencies and play off that.”

To continue, none of these four individuals are the biggest of the bunch. They realized long ago that strength and bulk wasn’t the answer. The answer was to play hard and play together.

As much as they like to help each other out on the field, it is sometimes a competition about who can score more goals. Illian has the team lead (as well as the county) for now, but one can be sure that the other three will attempt to dethrone him.

Each of the players have unique talents that make Pascack Valley what it is today.

NICK SORAVILLA

Fitting in with the older kids was never a problem for Nick, who is one of the youngest in the grade. He has fit in quite nicely, being part of three sports teams at Pascack Valley. He plays wide receiver and cornerback on the football field, point guard on the basketball court, and midfielder on the lacrosse field. His quickness and agility often go unmatched and help him greatly in all the sports that he plays. He hopes to continue to play all three sports senior year as well, meaning he will play a huge part in the success of the Pascack Valley athletic program.

Favorite Athlete: Lebron James

Best thing about Lax: It is a unique sport that needs teamwork

Best Flow: Jeff Diorio

One word to describe this year’s LAX team: VEGAS!!!!!!

KEVIN ILLIAN

Many may know this name from the gridiron, but he is just as successful on the lacrosse field. He currently leads the county with 48 points, is first in goals with 27, and is second in assists with 21. He is the glue that keeps this team together and will go to any measure to ensure they play their hardest for 48 minutes. As well as fantastic individual play, he creates for his teammates, making them better with every practice and game. Playing varsity as a freshman has taught Illian how to win on this level and thus far, he is doing a pretty good job of it.

Favorite Athlete: Victor Cruz

Best thing about Lax: It is fast paced and very exciting.

Best Flow: Jeff Diorio

One word to describe this year’s LAX team: Vegas

NICK SUNSERI

Although not the biggest of players, Sunseri may be the most physical man the Indians have. He simply outhustles opposing defenders, creating for himself and his teammates on the offensive end of the field. Along with lacrosse, Nick is an outstanding soccer player, following the footsteps of his brother Justin who graduated last year. Sunseri never takes a play off and epitomizes how the Indians use hustle and courage to grind out games.

Favorite Athlete: Alexander Ovechkin

Best thing about Lax: Fast Paced and lots of action

Best Flow: Jeff Diorio

One word to describe this year’s LAX team: Vegas

MICHAEL BULDO LICCIARDI

Along with snowboarding and surfing, Mike Buldo has a passion for the game of lacrosse. His determination and will to succeed has fueled his success on the varsity level. Balancing school and sports was never a problem as Buldo is currently enrolled in multiple Honors Classes. On field consistency is something that Mike prides himself on and will continue to for the rest of the season. 

Favorite Athlete: Michael Jordan

Best thing about Lax: You have to use your head.

Best Flow: Jeff Diorio

One word to describe this year’s LAX team: Vegas

These four have led Pascack Valley to a 10-2 record and show no signs of stopping. They will only continue to improve, making the Indians a serious contender going into the County Tournament.

Experience should be what leads teams to championship banners, but these four juniors from Pascack Valley are showing that chemistry, toughness, and skill are what puts a team in contention to bring home the county crown.

Special thanks to Justin Roth for supplying me with some photos. Check out his website http://www.justinrothphoto.com/

Pascack Valley Slips Past Dwight Englewood

Kyle Stackpole

PV Sports Beat

In a day where it felt more like winter than spring, Pascack Valley was looking to freeze Dwight Englewood and improve to 9-2.

It sure wasn’t pretty, but in the end, the Indians were able to hold off Dwight Englewood by the score of 4-3.

Whether it was the cold or the sun in the eyes of the players, both teams seemed to out of sync throughout the game. It wasn’t until the end when Dwight Englewood started to get something going, but it was ultimately too late.

The first goal wasn’t scored until about 10 minutes in when standout Kevin Illian rifled one past the Dwight Englewood goalie. Junior Nick Sunseri added another goal before the end of the quarter, giving the Indians a 2-0 lead after the first.

The second quarter was one the Indians would like to forget. They couldn’t seem to get anything going on the offensive end and if it wasn’t for Senior Goalie Kevin Switzer, they could easily have been trailing at intermission.

Instead, Switzer had 6 saves in the quarter without allowing a goal, giving the Indians a two-goal cushion at the half.

Neither team came out ready to play in the third, but Dwight Englewood was able to muster up one goal, making it a one score game going into the final period.

Pascack Valley knew this was a game they couldn’t lose and showed it in the fourth quarter. Freshman Zach Beja scored with 10 minutes left and Illian added another one with just 2 minutes to play, giving the Indians a 4-1 lead and putting the game out of reach.

Dwight Englewood made it interesting by scoring 2 goals in the final minutes, but Valley was able to hold on in the end to win 4-3.

It might have been the worst game played by the Indians all season, but all that matters is that a win is a win, no matter how it happens.

“We were relieved that we pulled this one out,” said Junior Ryan Foley, “And we are determined to go out and play better the next game.”

One great sign for the Indians was the play of Kevin Illian. After suffering a hamstring injury against Old Tappan on Wednesday, he came back with a vengeance on Friday, scoring two goals and dishing out two assists. He’ll need to be 100% if Pascack Valley wants to make a deep run in the county tournament.

Pascack Valley plays Monday against Pascack Hills. 

Valley defeats Old Tappan 12-6

After defeating Ramapo on Monday 5-4 in a game that was as intense as any Pascack Valley has played this season, it was interesting to see how they followed that up against a team like Old Tappan.

They showed no signs of a letdown, defeating the Golden Knights 12-6 Wednesday afternoon at Pascack Valley High School.

The Indians, now 8-2, are showing that their early season success was no fluke. They were led in scoring by Michael Buldo Liccardi and Joe Farenilli and the game never seemed to be in doubt.

Pascack Valley has now won three in a row after the loss to Jefferson and is peaking at the right time going into the playoffs.

Valley plays next on Friday against Dwight Englewood

PV runs past Waldwick on "LAX" Day

At Pascack Valley on Saturday morning, Valley made a statement and bounced back after their loss to Jefferson, defeating Waldwick 15-3. The game was in the bag from the start as goalie Kevin Switzer rolled through the defense and scored the first goal two minutes into the opening period. The Indians never looked back, letting Waldwick know who they were really up against. The scoring was led by Mike Vicchio and Kevin Illian. Valley plays their next game Monday against Ramapo.


Special Thanks to Mike Manente for keeping me updated on the game

Pascack Valley Falls to Jefferson 5-4

The Indians of Pascack Valley will have to settle for a record of 5 wins and 2 losses after a 5-4 loss against Jefferson Wednesday afternoon. The Indians had plenty of opportunities, but failed to convert when given the chance. They will look to learn from their mistakes and improve their play Saturday against Waldwick.

Illian off to an All County-like Start

With three weeks of the season in the books, Junior Kevin Illian is proving he is one of the best players in Bergen County. He leads the county in points with 35, is second in goals with 21, and is second in assists with 14.

Valley Crushes Paramus Catholic, Improves to 5-1

Pascack Valley took care of business Monday afternoon by defeating Paramus Catholic 15-1. Senior Joe Farenilli lead the team in scoring with 6 goals, the most by a single player for the Indians this season.

Pascack Valley faces off against Jefferson Wednesday at 4:30.

Pascack Valley Suffers First Loss at the Hands of Northern Highlands

Kyle Stackpole

PV Sports Beat

Of all the lacrosse games on the Saturday slate, one stood out among the rest.

This was the exciting showdown between Northern Highlands and Pascack Valley, both ranked in the top 10 in Bergen County.

Pascack Valley is ranked 8^th in the county and had started the season by winning their first 4 games. With that being said, they knew Northern Highlands would be their toughest test yet.

On the other hand, despite their 1-3 record coming in, Northern Highlands is ranked 6^th in the county. Their mediocre record is soley caused by their tough schedule early in the season.

The game was poised to be a close one throughout and failed to disappoint.

In the end however, Northern Higlands was too much for the Indians, winning 10-7 and handing Valley their first loss of the season.

The game was close at half time, with Highlands holding a 4-1 lead. However, the third period was one the Indians would like to forget as they were outscored 5-3. Because of this, they faced a 9-4 defecit going into the fourth.

Pascack Valley never gave up as they continued to scratch and claw their way back into the game. With 3 minutes left in the fourth period, they were only down 9-7, giving them a fighting chance. Those hopes were dashed when a Highlands defender knifed his way through the defense and rifiled one past Switzer, giving the Highlanders a 10-7 lead with under 2 minutes to play.

Altough a loss is never a good thing, there were some positives the Indians could take out of this game.

The first was that Junior Michael Buldo-Liccardi overcame his scoring woes by leading the team with 3 goals. After struggling to find the back of the net the last two games, Buldo seems to have gotten his swagger back. Look for him to be a big part of Valley’s success in the future.

Coming into the game, some (not me of course) believed that Pascack Valley couldn’t compete with a powerhouse like Northern Highlands. They proved doubters wrong by giving them all they could handle until the final whistle.

Junior midfielder Nick Soravilla said after the game, “This effort showed that we can compete with some of the best teams in the county.”

The Indians will have to continue to compete because if they want to be the best, they’ll have to beat the best. 

4.14.12

Pascack Valley falls to Northern Highlands 10-7. It was a solid effort for the Indians, but they ended up falling short in the end. Mike Buldo led the team with 3 goals.

Interesting Fact

Led by Kevin Illian, Joe Farinelli, Nick Sunseri, and Michael Buldo Licciardi, the Pascack Valley (4-0) boys are averaging 13 goals per game, the 10th-highest average in the state and the second highest in North Jersey, behind Don Bosco (13.6). (The Record)

Valley Wins Fourth Straight as Switzer goes Coast to Coast

Kyle Stackpole

PV Sports Beat

Every football player remembers playing the St. Joes Green Knights on a snowy, brisk October day in front of hundreds of friends and family.

They also remember how it felt coming home on the bus, knowing they hadn’t played their best and had given in too easily.

Well many of these football players also play Lacrosse, and a chance to go back to Joes was like a dream come true for them. There was only one word on the minds of those players as they stepped onto the field Thursday afternoon.

Revenge.

And boy did they get their payback.

After defeating St. Joes 11-5 on Thursday, Pascack Valley improved its record to 4-0 and wasn’t afraid to show a little excitement and emotion in the process.

“It feels pretty good because they are a private school and have kids from a bunch of different towns while we only have kids from two towns”, said Junior standout Kevin Illian, “and we stuck it to them.”

Illian made sure he wouldn’t lose twice on the same field, scoring 4 goals and handing out 3 assists, contributing to 7 of the 11 goals Pascack Valley scored.

He wasn’t the only one making an impact of course. Mike Vicchio, Joe Farenilli, Nick Soravilla, and Nick Sunseri all provided crucial plays throughout the game to secure the win for the Indians.

The game was tight in the first half, with the two teams going back and forth, neither really having an edge. After the end of the 1^st period, the game was tied, two goals a piece.

The turning point came late in the second period when Kevin Illian scored an acrobatic goal with 7.6 seconds left on the clock, giving Valley a 5-3 lead and a huge momentum boost going into the half.

This excitement carried over to the second half as the Indians outscored the Green Knights 3-0 in the third period, taking a 8-3 lead into the fourth.

By this point in time, all the Indians needed to do was hold on. They were able to accomplish this, making a statement in defeating St. Joes by a score of 11-5.

Coming into the game, an issue the Indians were going to face was the size difference, as the midfielders and attack men weren’t nearly as big as those on the Joe’s sideline. This proved not to be the case, as the smaller Indian players out-toughed the Green Knights, getting to almost every ground ball and causing crucial penalties that led to scoring oppurtunites.

As always, the defense was solid, led by seniors Erick Tracy and Jeff Diorio. They were not at all intimidated by the name of the opposing team’s jersey. They stuck to the gameplan and executed it nearly perfectly.

Although the game was out of reach, the most interesting play may have come in the fourth quarter. Senior Goalie Kevin Switzer, who had 16 saves in the game, decided to make a name for himself on the offensive end. After bottling up one of his many saves, Switzer saw an opening and sprinted down the middle of the field. He dodged defenders and fired a rifle past the St. Joe’s goalie, causing his fans and teammates to erupt.

When asked about it, Switzer responded, “I don’t know, but I was hotter then a pistol”, and indeed he was.

This was an important game for Pascack Valley because it gave them the confidence that they could beat anyone, whether it was a public school or a parochial.

“"I think our win against St. Joe's was a great team effort,” said head coach Craig Buckley, “And one that shows how we are capable of performing.”

Pascack Valley next plays Northern Highlands on Saturday.

4/12/12

Pascack Valley defeats St. Joe's 11 to 5. Kevin Illian led the team with 4 goals and 3 assists. Their next game is against Northern Highlands.

Valley Punishes River Dell, Earns First Home Win

Kyle Stackpole

PV Sports Beat

The first home game is always an exciting one and the Indians made the most of theirs with a 14-4 thrashing of River Dell Tuesday afternoon at Pascack Valley High school.

The game was never in doubt, as Valley had goals from Nick Sunseri and Nick Soravilla in the opening minutes. By the time the first quarter ended, the Indians had secured a comfortable 5-0 cushion.

Instead of taking their foot off the gas pedal and playing passive, Pascack Valley continued to push the tempo, scoring 2 more goals in the second to go up 7-1 at intermission.

During the first couple of minutes of the second half, the Indians put the game out of reach. After goals from Kevin Illian and Joey Farenilli, the game was all but over.

With all the scoring that went on, one player stood out among the rest. Junior attack man Kevin Illian scored six goals and dished out a handful of assists. His solid play throughout propelled Valley to a 3-0 start.

On the other side of the ball, many of the Indian defenders were left standing around during the game. Senior standout goalie Kevin Switzer allowed only four goals on just a handful of shots, mostly because River Dell was barely on the attack. Time of possession and precision passing left the defense with little to do.

When asked about how they were able to stifle River Dell’s explosive offense, junior defenseman Ryan Foley replied, “We were able to stop their fast breaks and in turn, eliminate any easy scoring opportunities.”

Coming into this game, the Hawks had scored 6 goals on the year, with 5 of them coming in transition. The Indians made sure everyone was back on defense, limiting the number of transition opportunities and therefore, limiting what they are able to accomplish on the offensive end.

The win today improves Pascack Valley’s record to 3-0, but in the eyes of the Indians, they haven’t accomplished anything yet.

“This was going to be a grueling week for us and it sure helps to get off to a nice start,” Foley added, “but the season has just started and there are plenty of challenges yet to come.”

2012 BOYS LACROSSE PREVIEW

Kyle Stackpole

PV Sports Beat

The snow has finally subsided, the weather is finally heating up, and spring is just beginning. This also means the start of spring sports at Pascack Valley High school.

When people think of spring, many think of baseball and tennis, with a smaller number of people thinking of track. There is one sport however that is rarely talked about during the April months and it might just be the most exciting and entertaining of them all.

This sport is called lacrosse, also known as “Lax”.

The Pascack Valley boys lacrosse team, coming off of a season where they went 11-7, are looking to improve in their second year as a separate program from Pascack Hills. The two schools split before last season because of a change in the rules by the New Jersey Interscholastic Athletic Association.

After losing star Justin Sunseri, who scored 31 goals and had 19 assists during his senior campaign, the Indians are still filled with experienced players from last year’s squad. Better yet, they bring back 68% of their scoring and 58% of their assists from a year ago.

“In 2012, we need for our returning offensive leaders to pickup where they left off from least season,” said Head Coach Craig Buckley. “Many of these leaders were sophomore’s in 2011 so we have high offensive expectations for 2012.”

Below is a player preview to specifically pinpoint how each player will serve part to this team’s success.

Players the Indians Will Rely On

Although a team sport, there are a few players of this team that have separated themselves among the rest. The Indians will rely on these players for leadership, motivation, and big time play as the season goes on.

Kevin Illian: Although only a junior, this is Illian’s third year on varsity. He is looking to build on a very successful sophomore campaign in which he scored 30 goals, which was good for second on the team. The Indians will be looking for leadership from their midfielder this spring, organizing the offense and creating for his teammates.

Mike Vicchio: As a senior and the captain of this years team, everything that is going to happen this year is going to go through him. After scoring 15 goals and dishing 16 assists for Pascack Valley last season, he is a do it all player who will be a big part of this teams success.

Joe Farenilli: Farenilli is by far the team’s hardest shooter and is a force on the offensive end. He scored 18 goals last spring, mostly by using his strength to overpower opposing goalies with his shot. When Farenilli is shooting the ball, don't blink, because the ball could already be in the net.

Mike Buldo-Liccardi: Buldo is a kid whose stick skills and handles have allowed him to become one of the best scorers on this Pascack Valley team. After scoring 30 goals a year ago, he is looking to improve his game and elevate his team to the next level.

Jeff Diorio: As the other captain of this team, Pascack Valley will lean on Diorio to provide a wall on defense. He will also organize the rest of the defense to make sure there are no open shots on goal. Look for Diorio to be the vocal leader of the defense.

Nick Choman: After starting on the defensive end for the Indians last year, Choman will be important to this team in 2012. He provides a football-like mentality, but can also think the game and make the right decisions in pressure situations.

Kevin Switzer: This is one of the best goalies in Bergen County and one that makes Valley a very hard team to play against. Just a season ago, Switzer recorded 219 saves and was the epitome of consistency for the Indians. As long as Switzer is in goal, the Indians will never be out of a game because he’s the kind of player that can will his team to a victory.

Nick Sunseri: Just like his brother, Sunseri is just usually the most aggressive player on the field, always giving it 100% percent. Although Nick will have a tough time living up to what his brother accomplished in 2011, Sunseri will be a big piece of the puzzle for an Indian teams looking to make a run in the state playoffs this season.

Erik Tracy: Last, but certainly not least, Tracy makes a huge impact on the defense end. His intimidation reaches the level to where some opposite attackers drop the ball before he flattens them to the ground. He sets the tone on defense, showing that the Indians aren’t a team to mess around with.

Upperclassmen ready to step up

This category includes players that didn’t have a huge impact on the varsity level last year, but are ready to step up and make Valley en even better team then before. These players are the X-factors for the Indians this year, as Pascack Valley will go as far as these players take them.

Nick Soravilla: Soravilla scored 5 goals and had 5 assists during his sophomore season at the varsity level. He will be a big part of the team this year, as his speed and quickness will set the Indians up nicely on offense. Look for him to be a key factor is their success.

Ryan Foley: Foley didn't record a goal or an assist last year, partly because he played defense the whole time. He is a versatile defender who will pose problems for other team’s attackers. He also isn't afraid of mixing it up, even if it means sacrificing his body in the process.

Newcomers ready to make an impact

These individuals weren’t apart of the varsity team last season, but have been working constantly in the offseason to get themselves better. They will be the role players on this years varsity squad and could make a difference in a number of different ways.

Mark Zicarrelli: This is only his second year of player high school lacrosse and he has picked up the game very nicely. After playing junior varsity as a sophomore, Zicarrelli is looking to make an impact on the varsity level this season.

Brendan Morrissey: After coming over from Bergen Catholic before the start of his sophomore year, Morrissey is looking to prove himself for the Indians. He has been known to be a hard hitter on the football field and hopes to the wood for the Indians on the lacrosse field.

To be successful, the Indians will have to be efficient on both sides of the field, especially on the defensive end.

“Our defense kept us in every single game last season and will do the same this year,” added Buckley. “If our offensive unit continues to improve and our defense continues to make it tough for our opponents, we will enjoy a great 2012.”