After a dramatic final in the CIF San Diego Section Open Division playoffs that saw La Jolla High School end Cathedral Catholic High’s two-year title reign, a rematch in the Southern California Regional Division 1 semifinals brought a worthy encore.

When the host Vikings came back from a five-goal deficit to close within one midway through Thursday night’s fourth quarter, the loudest cheers sounded.

Then, another roar after Dons coach Tommy Corcoran was ejected for protesting a foul that was called ahead of the goal.

Cathedral senior Max Arnold responded by scoring his second goal of the game on the next possession with 3:27 to go, and the third-seeded Dons then proceeded to close out a 10-9 victory.

“The key for us at the end was composure,” said Arnold. “Up by one, we got that goal. Just composure secured the win.”

Sophomore Diego Dantas added his fourth goal with 1:49 left for a three-goal edge and enough cushion to withstand two last-minute goals by the No. 2 Vikings.

The victory enabled the Dons (26-5) to become the first local team to reach the SoCal Division 1 final in the eight-year history of the event.

Cathedral will face No. 1 Newport Harbor (30-1) at 4 p.m. Saturday at Mount San Antonio College in Walnut. The Dons handed Newport Harbor (30-1) its only loss this season on Oct. 11.

Dantas finished with four goals, including two in the opening 4:25 that helped Cathedral open with a 3-0 lead.

Dexter Black scored four goals to lead the Vikings (25-5), who trailed 6-1 midway through the second period but rebounded to cut the Cathedral advantage to 8-7.

The Dons rallied in the absence of their coach.

“You can’t get comfortable,” Dantas said. “You have to stay tight. We reminded ourselves of that, and we put them away.”

Braylen Axline and Grayson Taylor added two goals each for Cathedral.  The Dons also won both regular-season meetings with their City Western League rival.

“We felt that we were the better team, and we wanted to come out and prove that the game in the (section) final was a fluke,” Arnold said. “We did a good job of that. Obviously, they’re a really good team, so props to them, coming in with all their intensity.”

Tor Martin and Henry Glenister each recorded two goals for La Jolla. The Vikings were without Quinn Daniels, who suffered a concussion and facial injury in the section final.

In Division 2, there’s an all-local match-up of first-time SoCal finalists between top-seeded Bishop’s (14-15) and No. 2 Santana (24-5) at 2:30 p.m.

Bishop’s advanced with a 19-6 victory over Carlsbad. Santana advanced by topping No. 3 Capistrano Valley 24-10.

In Division 3, No. 3 Mar Vista (16-9) fell 16-14 to No. 2 Covina Charter Oak.

— GLAE THIEN

Two San Diego schools to play in SoCal tennis regionals

Canyon Crest Academy and Del Norte High School will take part in the SoCal Girls Regional Tennis Championships at The Claremont Club.

Quarterfinals and semifinals will be played Friday, with the championship set for Saturday.  The winner advances to the State championship Nov. 29 in Fresno.

CCA, the San Diego Section Open Division champion, will take on Manhattan Beach Mira Costa. The Ravens are led by Alyssa Liu in singles and Ahana Singh and Kaelyn Liu in doubles.

Del Norte will face Santa Ana Mater Dei. The Nighthawks are led by the doubles team made up of twin sisters Savannah and Samantha Harpster.

— DON NORCROSS