In soccer, teams that control possession and play solid defense usually come out on top.

That was the formula Pleasant Valley used in a 3-1 Eastern Pennsylvania Conference win over Pocono Mountain East on Tuesday night.

The game began evenly, with neither team gaining an advantage. Just four minutes in, East’s Connor Smith broke in alone on Bears goalie Cole Clark, but his shot sailed wide right.

That chance seemed to spark the pace of play, with both teams pushing forward. Pleasant Valley’s Adam Sopanski nearly opened the scoring in the 34th minute when his shot rang off the post, while East’s Dominic Ryczek was denied earlier by Clark. Cardinals keeper Lucas Angst made several strong saves, including one on Sopanski, and PV’s Steven Walter came close on a header with 16 minutes left in the first half.

A brief moment of controversy came with 6:40 left before halftime. After a scramble in front of the Cardinals’ net, Pleasant Valley coaches believed a loose ball had crossed the goal line, but it was ruled no score. Undeterred, the Bears continued pressing until James Morton dribbled down the left sideline and drilled a shot from a sharp angle into the back of the net to break the scoreless tie.

“We try to win the possession game and play solid defense, and I think we did that tonight,” said Pleasant Valley coach Isaac Blagogee.

The Bears extended their advantage early in the second half. Three minutes in, senior David Chamera took a lofted pass from Christian Pinheiro and ripped a shot into the top of the net for a 2-0 lead. Four minutes later, Sopanski added a third goal when his close-range shot deflected off Angst’s hands and rolled across the line.

The Cardinals broke through with 20 minutes remaining on a long ball that slipped behind the Bears’ defense and set up Oliver Pankiewycz for a 20-yard breakaway finish. Pleasant Valley locked down from there, stifling any further East chances.

Blagogee praised his team’s effort, but noted there is still room to grow.

“Our players know what job they have to do, and it starts with moving the ball up the field,” he said. “But we need to improve our game attitude. As their coach, I prepare them the best I can, but like they say, you can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make him drink.”

THE SHUTDOWN ... Pleasant Valley’s defense allowed only seven shots on goal, while the Bears generated 20.

JUST HAVING SOME FUN ... Both coaches added humor to the competitive atmosphere. East coach Gregory Swatt, shouting instructions to his players, was overheard saying, “Can you find some feet, maybe?” and later, “Do something where you’re supposed to do something.” Blagogee, a former professional who played in Ukraine and France, drew smiles when he corralled a few out-of-bounds balls and showed off his footwork on the sideline.

NEXT UP ... Pleasant Valley visits Allentown Central Catholic at 5:30 p.m. Thursday.

Pleasant Valley 3, PM East 1

Pocono Mtn. East 0 1 - 1

Pleasant Valley 1 2 - 3

Goals: PM East - Pankiewycz (unassisted); Pleasant Valley - Morton (unassisted), Chamera, Sopanski (unassisted); Assists: Pleasant Valley - Pinheiro.

Records: Pleasant Valley (7-3); PM East (3-5)