Any doubts that the Pleasant Valley girls lacrosse team would struggle against a quality opponent from a highly competitive District 1 because of its softer regular-season schedule were erased Tuesday.

The Bears delivered a statement with a 12-6 victory over Upper Dublin in the first round of the PIAA Class 3A state tournament.

The Cardinals, once ranked No. 18 in the nation by USA Lacrosse Magazine and the fourth-place team from District 1, came to Brodheadsville looking to upend the District 11 champion. But a Pleasant Valley offense predicated on speed and crisp passing, along with a defense built to cut off shooting lanes, proved too much for the visitors to overcome.

Just two minutes into, junior Rylee Rath found freshman Brielle Halamar in front of the Cardinals’ goal, and Halamar drilled the back of the net for a quick 1-0 lead.

Three minutes later, Bridget DiMartile tied the score for Upper Dublin. But at the 4:07 mark of the opening quarter, Pleasant Valley senior Devon Bush scored the first of her game-high five goals on a penalty shot, and added another on a second penalty shot less than two minutes later.

Early in the second quarter, DiMartile scored again to cut the Bears’ lead to 3-2. But that was as close as the Cardinals would get.

Pleasant Valley scored the next six goals to take a commanding 9-2 lead after three quarters. The surge included goals from Samantha Miller, Olivia Iandoli, Bush (two), Rath and Morgan Ryals.

“We knew they would try to shut down Devon and Rylee, but we have a strong group of other players who can also score,” said Pleasant Valley head coach Toni Bush.

Upper Dublin tried to mount a comeback in the fourth quarter. Ava Shohen scored two minutes in, and a minute later, Emily Buckius converted a penalty shot to make it 9-4.

But Rath’s dominance on draws, and the steady play of goalkeeper Abygail Borger helped the Bears hold off the Cardinals. Borger made 14 saves, including two in a 35-second span with six minutes to play — one off a point-blank penalty shot.

“Our game plan was to keep possession,” Coach Bush said. “They are a very athletic team and like to face guard when we’re on the attack, but I thought we executed pretty well. We also had to adjust to different officials who we weren’t used to seeing, but that didn’t cause us much of a problem.”

Rath won 20 of 23 draws, giving Pleasant Valley extended possessions throughout the contest.

Upper Dublin committed eight turnovers to Pleasant Valley’s 10. In goal, Borger stopped 14 shots, while Upper Dublin’s Anna Biermaas made two saves on 17 total Pleasant Valley shots.

The Cardinals were hit with four yellow cards, playing a man down for the final half of the fourth quarter. Despite the disadvantage, Upper Dublin scored twice in the final 19 seconds — both by DiMartile, who finished with four goals.

GOLDEN GOALS ... Two of Pleasant Valley’s 12 goals were the result of standout individual efforts. In the first quarter, Iandoli weaved through a defender and cut to the front of the net before blasting a shot home. With under three minutes to play, Bush picked up a draw, sprinted 50 yards up the center of the field, split two defenders and beat the goalie.

399 AND COUNTING ... Bush is now just one goal shy of 400 for her career.

UP NEXT ... Pleasant Valley advances to Saturday’s Class 3A quarterfinals. The Bears will play District 1 champion Springfield Delco at a site and time to be determined.

Upper Dublin 1 1 0 4 - 6

Pleasant Valley 3 3 3 3 - 12

Goals: Upper Dublin - B. Martile 4, Shoen 1, Buckius 1; Pleasant Valley - Bush 5, Iandoli 2, Ryals 2, Miller 1, Halamar 1, R. Rath 1; Assists: Pleasant Valley - R Rath 3, Halamar 1, Iandoli 1.

Records: Upper Dublin (19-4); Pleasant Valley (22-2).