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Sandy • It's only fitting that this tale of upset was penned by a player named Shakespeare.

Cedar City junior forward Brooklyn Shakespeare scored two second-half goals, including the game-winner in the 62nd minute as the Lady Reds bounced defending state champion Dixie 3-2 in Friday's Class 3A semifinal at Jordan High.

It's the second postseason victory against a region champ for Cedar City (13-6), the No. 4 seed from Region 9, which ousted Region 10 top seed Park City in the first round. The role of underdog seems to fit these ladies in red.

"It was exciting to play them again, because we split with them [in the regular season]," Shakespeare said. "It was a super-intense game and we're super-excited."

Cedar City will meet Desert Hills in Saturday's final at Rio Tinto Stadium.

Shakespeare finished a cross from Holly Carpenter for the game-winner. Crossing passes from left to right through the goal mouth was a theme for all three Cedar City goals.

Carpenter finished a pass from Shakespeare in the 14th minute for the game's first goal, and Shakespeare got her body on a ball sent over Dixie goalkeeper Taylor Whitson by Nicole Jenkins in the 51st minute.

"We got the ball across the face of the goal today," Cedar City coach Scott Kamachi said. "Being patient, which is what we've been doing all season long, and knocking it in the back of the net."

Senior midfielder Alexa Estridge scored both goals for the Flyers, and each drew Dixie (14-5) even on the scoreboard. But the Flyers failed to get even a sniff of a goal over the final 15 minutes, as Cedar City threw waves of fresh-legged defenders in to preserve the lead.

Now the Lady Reds, with just two seniors in their starting lineup, are on the verge of the school's first state girls' soccer title. They fell one victory short in 2011.

"I think we're about right where we're supposed to be," Kamachi said. "The girls have bought in and we're just going for it." —

Cedar City 3, Dixie 2

• Brooklyn Shakespeare has two goals and an assist as Cedar City wins the semifinal matchup between Region 9 schools.

• Alexa Estridge scores twice for Dixie, which fails in its bid for a second consecutive Class 3A state championship.

• The Lady Reds will play for their first state title Saturday at Rio Tinto Stadium.