The Pascack Valley boys lacrosse team has done something that very few public programs, regardless of sport, have been able to do; consistently beat and hold their own against a parochial powerhouse, in this case St. Joe’s.

Saturday’s 8-6 win in the first round of the Bergen County Tournament was just the latest example for the Indians, who entered the game with a lifetime record of 3-1 against the Green Knights.

So far , the Indians are turning heads and establishing a name for themselves. They are putting up 10.8 goals per game, while only giving up 5.4 goals per game. They’ve scored in double digits in every game but one, and allowed only one opponent to score double digit goals, Demarest in an overtime loss.

The Indians’ first game of tournament play was no different. PV was the ten seed entering play, while Joe’s was the seven seed.

St. Joe’s jumped out to an early 1-0 lead with about nine minutes to play in the first, and then under a minute later, senior Jimmy Spillane answered for PV to tie the game at 1. After that, it was a back and forth game up until the end of the third quarter.

Joe’s answered Spillane’s goal and went up 2-1 to end the first quarter. From there, it became a constant exchange of blows between the two powerhouses.

Keith Doherty answered the Joe’s goal, to make it tied at 2. Then Joe’s answered, then Conor Kimball to tie the game at 3.

Kimball’s second goal put the Indians up 4-3, but then less than a minute later and with a man advantage, Joe’s came back and tied the game one final time, at four goals a side.

Mike Soravilla scored the game winning goal, which put the Indians up 5-4. At that moment, the Indians were poised and determined to h0ld the lead and upset the perennial powerhouse that is St. Joe’s.

Mission accomplished.

After Soravilla put the Indians up one, they scored three straight goals and led 8-4. St. Joe’s would wind up scoring two goals to cut the lead to 8-6, but it turned out to be insurmountable and the Indians came away with the upset.

Next Game: The Bergen County Tournament resumes Tuesday for the Indians as they take on number two seed Northern Highlands in a home game for the Highlanders. PV is 0-6 all-time against Northern Highlands.