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.”