In the first game of their title defense, the DLSU Women’s Football Team came back from an early deficit to defeat the UP Lady Maroons, 3-1, yesterday at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.
Shannon Arthur, who missed the entirety of Season 79 with a knee injury, scored two second half goals, which proved to be the difference in the match. Like the men’s team last Thursday, the opponent scored early, but La Salle answered back with a vengeance.
The match began with both teams fighting to set the pace of the match. In the 24th minute, however, a strong shot from outside the box by UP’s Red Sajonia opened the scoring for the Season 78 champions. It was a strong shot from the wing that got past DLSU keeper, Tashka Lacson.
La Salle, though, quickly responded with a goal in the 35th minute by Chelo Hodges. Off the assist by Kyla Inquig, this goal equalized the match heading into halftime.
In the second half, DLSU began to take control of the game. The defending champions quickly took the lead in the 59th minute, when Arthur scored a long-range goal.
While UP continued to fight for a game-tying score, Arthur sealed the result of the match with another screamer in the 90th minute of the game.
With the win, the women’s team improves to 1-0 in Season 80 and continues its winning streak that began last UAAP season and continued on in the PFF Women’s League.
The team resumes action on Valentine’s Day, with a game against the UST Golden Tigresses, at the same venue.
