All season long, Mariemont proved itself to be the best team in Division II boys lacrosse across Greater Cincinnati. As the Warriors ripped through the first three rounds of the playoffs without much resistance, it was only a question of who would face them in the finals.

Third-seed Fenwick found itself with a daunting rematch in the semifinals, taking on a Bellbrook team which the Falcons had fallen to all the way back in the season opener. Throughout the game, neither team could find separation but Fenwick held the slight early advantage. When Bellbrook tied the game with just under two minutes to play, the Falcons needed a hero to step up.

That hero came from junior D.J. Berning. As the clock wound down under 30 seconds to go, Berning weaved through multiple defenders and fired a rocket as he absorbed serious contact. His shot found the back of the net to send Fenwick on to the regional finals.

In the finals against defending champs Mariemont, Berning came out swinging once again. The junior quickly secured a hat trick in the first quarter, putting the Falcons up over the Warriors.

Facing its first serious adversity of the regional tournament, Mariemont responded with force. Senior Vince Fiorina led the first-half charge with three goals of his own as the Warriors' offense fired on all cylinders, taking a 10-4 lead into the break.

The Warriors never looked back after the break. Fiorina finished with seven goals as Mariemont downed Fenwick, 17-6, securing back-to-back trips to the state tournament. Mariemont advances to face the winner of Bishop Watterson and St. Francis DeSales on June 2.

Click here for original Cincinnati.com story.