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.