By Robert Balajadia

The two-time defending champion Southern Dolphins soccer squad got their season off to a good start against the Harvest Eagles by beating them 3-1 Saturday at the Eagles’ field in Maite.

Southern Freshman Colleen Naden stole the show by scoring the games first goal to get the Dolphins on the board and by scoring the last goal in the final minutes to secure the win after Harvest appeared to be making a late rally.

Eagles’ Momilani Cruz tries to control the ball as Dolphins’ Colleen Naden looks on. (photo by Robert Balajadia)

“It feels good to be a freshman out there with the starting 11,” said Naden. “It feels good to help lead the team along with our senior captain. I started playing since I was four so I’m going to do my best to help lead this team to another championship.”

Naden score her first goal off a penalty committed by the Eagles giving Naden a great opportunity.

Naden’s gaol was the only one scored in the first half, but Southern also got a lift from a familiar player on the team in Zoe Surber. Midway through the first half, Surber took a pass from Naden and sprinted past the Eagle defense to score a break away goal to go up 2-0.

“We always have to play like we’re down and we have to continue to push harder,” said Surber on what the mindset was after going up 2-0.

Harvest needed a quick score to keep the Dolphins from running away with the game as time was winding down and they got just that just minutes after Surbers goal. Eagles Nelly Cubacub was able to take advantage of a lapse on the Dolphin defense to send a ball past the Southern goalie Lorraina Sanchez.

Naden then took advantage of another late Eagles penalty, giving her another one-on-one shot with Eagles goalie Bryn Collier, who came in for starting goalie Natha Hennegan. Naden closed out the game with her penalty kick score.

Dolphins’ April Talledo attempts to pass Eagles’ Bryn Collier. (photo by Robert Balajadia)

Hennegan left the game after a collision with Naden as both players attempted to battle for a ball in the air. The Eagles fans didn’t like the collision and sparked a few harmless jawing between fans. Naden was given a yellow card, though playing physical is in her good nature of the sport.

“I’m just going play how I usually play, which is physical. I do play physical, but I don’t mean to hurt anyone or get any yellow cards. It comes with the sport to play physical and if they push obviously I’m going to push back,” said Naden.

Surber, a junior, is the younger sister to 2013 MVP Paige Surber and has been a part of the teams back-to-back titles and knows what the girls need to do to win it all again this year.

“I still believe in my team and I’m really confident in our team. Although we lost [Paige] we still have the same bond that is still going strong.”

PHOTO GALLERY:

Dolphins’ April Talledo takes a shot at goal. (photo by Robert Balajadia)

Eagles’ goalie Natha Hennegan tries to stop the Colleen Naden penalty kick but was unsuccessful. (photo by Robert Balajadia)

Eagles’ Arianne Chabanne gets open after dribbling the ball. (photo by Robert Balajadia)

Eagles’ Momilani Cruz tries to control the ball as Dolphins’ Colleen Naden looks on. (photo by Robert Balajadia)