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By Patrick Lujan

Southern’s Paige Surber eludes Sanchez goalkeeper Lowella Diramos en route to the goal. (photo by Jill Espiritu)

They’re gonna do it again.

The top-ranked Southern Dolphins and second-ranked Notre Dame Royals took care of business Tuesday night in the IIAAG Girls Soccer League semifinals to set up a rematch from last year’s epic championship game.

The Dolphins survived a slight scare from the Sanchez Sharks in the first game with a 3-2 win while the Royals shutout their long-time rivals Academy Cougars 2-0.

Dolphins 3, Sharks 2

“It was nerve-racking being down,” MVP Paige Surber said about trailing 1-0.

Sanchez put the pressure on the champions early on as Maria Abbey Iriarte scored off a breakaway with Shaeina Torres getting the credit for the assist in just the eighth minute of the match.

The Dolphins kept pushing and finally found the back of the net when sophomore Zoe Surber scored off her older sister Paige’s free kick from the left side from 40 yards out to tie the score in the 31st minute.

Dolphin Zoe Surber powers in a follow-up shot after Sharks goalkeeper Amy Besagar (on ground) initially blocked a Paige Surber shot attempt off a free kick. (photo by Jill Espiritu)

“My sister followed through with it. Thank God someone was there. That settled us down a little bit,” mentioned Paige.

The two-time MVP put the Dolphins ahead right before halftime dribbling past the goal keeper for an easy goal.

Southern got some breathing room deep in the second half when Tianna Sakaba scored on a one-touch shot after a 1-2 combo with Zoe Surber at the 70^th minute to make it 3-1.

Just three minutes later, Paige Surber could’ve put the game away on a penalty kick but she conceded the kick on a push on Akiko Naval.

“I was the one that got pushed down,” Paige said. “It was unlucky for us.”

Naval would score off the PK rebound moments later to slice the lead to 3-2.

Southern, however, would manage to stave off the upset and advance to the championship game Friday night.

“We just played until the last whistle was blown,” Surber added.

Royals 2, Cougars 0

The Royals are peaking at the right time.

Notre Dame’s Demi-Rae Shimizu (13) attempts to steal the ball from Academy’s Andrea Odell during a semifinal match. (photo by Jill Espiritu)

After getting off to a rocky start to the season, the talented Royals are poised to reclaim the title that was last theirs in 2010.

Senior All-Island midfielder Demi Rae Shimizu scored both goals to kick the Royals back into the championship game.

Shimizu put ND on the board in the 26th minute when she drilled a shot from 30 yards out from the right wing that went off the hands of the Academy goalkeeper.

The Royals defense played phenomenal, keeping the Cougars offense at bay.

Shimizu sealed it for the Royals in extra time, putting in a penalty kick after a handball call.

The Royals lost to the Dolphins 4-0 early in the regular season.

GSPN thanks GFA’s Brett Maluwelmeng for his awesome soccer insights to these games!

PHOTO GALLERY BROUGHT TO YOU BY:

Southern High’s Tianna Sakaba (center) races to gain control of a through pass as Simon Sanchez defenders Tayler Naputi (11) and Ha’ane Taitano (24) sprint to put defensive pressure on Sakaba. (photo by Jill Espiritu)

Sanchez’s Maria Abbey Iriarte looks to pass the ball as she carries the ball up from the midfield. (photo by Jill Espiritu)

Academy’s Serafina Paulino brings the ball forward toward the goal as Notre Dame defenders begin to converge on Paulino. (photo by Jill Espiritu)

Notre Dame midfielder Demi-Rae Shimizu (13) guards the ball as she waits for an opportunity to turn and burn Academy’s Jessica Sheppard. (photoy by Jill Espiritu)

Notre Dame High School celebrate its 2-0 win over the Academy of Our Lady of Guam after the final whistle of their semifinal match. (photo by Jill Espiritu)

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