By, Jake Karp

“Fear the Trolls” is the mantra for the Mountaineers this season and yesterday’s victory further justifies it.

Bernards, who won the Group NJSIAA Championship in 2018, inch closer to doing it again after trouncing the Somerville Highlanders at home in the Section 2, Group II Semifinal.

Somerville was on its heels the whole game, as four first-half goals by the Mountaineers put the Highlanders in a deep hole they ultimately couldn’t climb out of. 

Bernards added two more goals in the second half to seal the deal along with strong defense throughout the game, to cap off a commanding semifinal win. 

Bernards had several standout players showcase their abilities in yesterday’s win, with goals from Andee Costabile (2), Bailey Olson (2), Shannon Dill, and Jane Stauffer. Senior Payton Zaun, who leads the Skyland Conference in assists and the Valley division in goals, provided a season-high 5 assists in yesterday’s win, while Alexa Paterno also contributed an assist. 

“The biggest thing for us is there’s no selfishness on our team, we’re always looking to get the ball to the person with the best opportunity to score…we’re so connected, we know where we’re gonna be before we’re even there,” University of Richmond commit, Andee Costabile said after the game.

Bernards has achieved its most single-season wins since 2017, boasting a 16-4-2 overall record. The Mountaineers lead the Valley Division and are 5th in the Skyland Conference. Derek Broudeau is in his 4th season as the Mountaineers’ head coach.

Despite the dissatisfying end to Somerville’s season, the Highlanders put together a solid campaign with a 9-9-2 overall record, highlighted by an upset victory over #2 Lyndhurst in the second round of the NJSIAA Tournament. Somerville finishes 4th in the Raritan Division and 14th in the Skyland. Jordi Meijer, who led the Highlanders to Division titles in 2018 and 2020, has concluded his 7th season as head coach. 

#1 Madison will host Bernards in the NJSIAA Championship (Section 2, Group 2) on Thursday at 2:00pm.