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.
