Somerset Berkley girls soccer punches ticket to postseason after blanking Diman

SOMERSET —  Kasey Jeronimo and the Somerset Berkley girls soccer team knew what it felt missing the playoffs last season by a single point.

Senior captain Jocelyn Wilson and junior Mia Gentile certainly did not forget.

On Wednesday, the Raiders duo made sure the 2022 season had a different outcome.

Gentile netted a pair of goals and the Raiders defense did the rest as SBR punched its ticket to the postseason after blanking a very good Diman team, 4-0, on Senior Night at Somerset Berkley Regional High School.

"We'll take it right, definitely different last year," smiled Jeronimo, who has made to state tournament every year except last year since taking over in 2017. "I'm ecstatic. What a way to celebrate Senior Night, not only with the win, but a win that puts us in the tournament."

Freshman Aryanna Secia and Makenzie Pires added penalty kick goals in the win. Madelyn Willis got the shutout win in net.

Cast your vote:Who is the Herald News High School Player of the Week for Oct. 17-22

"It feel amazing right now," Wilson said. "I'm so happy because we did not make it to the playoffs last year. So tonight was our redemption for that tonight."

Diman (9-6-2), who already punched its ticket to the big dance, was without four starters to start the game. But head coach Floriano Lima gave credit where credit was due.

"They're [SBR] good," he said. "They pass well and they're aggressive. That's the way you play the game. I thought my kids played well. You take those two PKs out, I think it is a different game."

The Raiders (8-6-3) took an early 1-0 lead in the first half on a penalty kick goal from Secia.

In the second half, Gentile asserted herself right away. First, she received a pass from Emily Fernandes and buried a shot to the far side to give SBR a 2-0 advantage.

Fast footwork, dozens of goals: Greater Fall River's 10 all-time best girls soccer players

Pires added a penalty kick goal 10 minutes later off a rebound to give the Raiders a 3-0 lead. Gentile added her second of the game less than two minutes to put SBR up 4-0. Audrey Sterling picked up the assist.

"We wanted it bad tonight," Gentile said. "We all realized what we wanted this season and everyone was working together. We're working hard and everything is clicking."

Jeronimo said Gentile showed up big time.

"That girl, let me tell you," Jeronimo said. "Where was that in the beginning and midway of the season. She just woke up. She is not a caterpillar anymore. She is a butterfly."

Alex Cook lead a great defensive effort in the backfield, limiting Bengals star player Elizabeth Kinnane touches.

Both teams are back it on Saturday when they play a rematch at Diman.

Herald News and Taunton Daily Gazette sports editor Steven Sanchez can be reached at ssanchez@heraldnews.com. You can follow him on Twitter at @Chezsports. Support local journalism by purchasing a digital or print subscription to The Herald News today.

This article originally appeared on The Herald News: Somerset Berkley girls soccer tops Diman, headed to playoffs