The DLSU Women’s Football Team capped off the first round by defeating the FEU Lady Tamaraws, 1-0, earlier today at the Rizal Memorial Stadium. Kyla Inguig headed home the game-winner at the 85th minute after Irish Navaja produced a superb cross from a free kick on the right wing. The Lasallians’ latest win gives them four wins in as many games in the UAAP Season 79 Women’s Football Tournament.
Slow first half
“Today is not the same day like the other three games,” coach Hans Smit of La Salle said. After a sparkling game against their archrivals, the ADMU Lady Eagles, last game, DLSU struggled to find the back of the net during the first half. The Green-and-White attempted a number of shots, but FEU’s goalkeeper, Joy Chavez, stood firm.
Nina Arrieta and Kyla Inquig took turns in testing Chavez in the early minutes of the game, but both of their shots went straight at Chavez. DLSU’s Nicole Andaya was able to get inside the box a few minutes later, but she was dispossessed. FEU countered back with Jean Kadil leading the way on the other side of the pitch. She was able to take a shot, but was deflected massively by a Lasallian, thus giving Inna Palacios an easy save.
In the 14th minute, both Irish Navaja and Jovelle Sudaria of DLSU and FEU, respectively, had a shot on target. It was Navaja who fired a well-placed shot going to the top left corner of the goal but Chavez was there to make a denial. Sudaria also attempted a long shot, but Palacios made another save.
Andaya looked to spark the La Salle offense as she created scoring opportunities from the left flank. She managed to link up with Dimaandal, on a couple of situations which proved to be unsuccessful. In the last 14 minutes of the first half, FEU sought to get the first goal of the game, but was unable to breakdown the La Salle defense.
Exciting second half
After a slow first half, the Green-and-White came in with more energy. La Salle challenged the defense of FEU as it continued to push players towards the attacking end. Castaneda sought to give La Salle the opening goal of the game, but she failed to capitalize on a free kick and shot attempt from the right side of the pitch.
Inquig was then given a yellow card at the 54th minute for a hard foul. Suettie Simoy of FEU was then awarded a free kick, but unfortunately for the Lady Tamaraws, Cristine Duran managed to make an interception.
Right winger Navaja kicked off most of DLSU’s offense in the latter stages of the game. At the 61’ mark, after fending off two defenders from FEU, she setup Arrieta only for the latter to fire off-target from close to the six yard box.
Three minutes later, the ball was dangerously into the defensive end of La Salle. Castaneda fended off three attackers as they managed to repel another FEU attack. It was another opportunity for the Lasallians, as Navaja received a free kick from Regine Metillo, but sent a cross into the hands of Chavez. Just a minute later, it was an FEU opportunity. Similar with La Salle, a free kick by Simoy was easily caught by Palacios.
Immediately after coming in for Arrieta at the 71st minute, Chelo Hodges of DLSU breezed through two defenders. She came close to slotting the ball into the net, only for Chavez to make another fine save. La Salle continued to test the Lady Tamaraw’s defense as several opportunities presented itself, but were not utilized. It was at the 85’ mark that La Salle was able to break the deadlock.
Navaja’s free kick eventually paved an opportunity for Inquig to find the back of the net for a 1-0 lead. “It’s a good thing that the free kick was exactly what I told Navaja what we would do,” Coach Smit commented. After taking control of the game’s tempo, La Salle eventually sealed its fourth win in as many games to conclude the first round of eliminations.
“We were fortunate enough to keep the momentum from the PFF (Philippine Football Federation) Womens League, considering it was a month after our first game,” Smit commented on the team’s current form. “The next games would have to be better, we need to be more cohesive and more receptive to each other. They need to learn to respect the other team first,” he added.
As of press time, the second round women’s football schedule has yet to be released.
