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.
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