The DLSU Women’s Football Team ended the first round of eliminations with a 1-0 victory against archrivals ADMU Lady Eagles yesterday at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium. Nina Arrieta’s goal from 12 yards in the 37th minute was enough to separate the rival schools. “I was really nervous because no one wanted to kick the ball,” she shared after the game.
La Salle’s latest triumph will give it a record of three wins and a loss heading into the second round. The defending champions have the same win-loss record with the UST Golden Tigresses, but the Green-and-White will occupy first place since they have the better goal difference.
Despite grabbing nine points out of 12 in their first four games, head coach Hans Smit has indicated that his players have not yet played their game this season. “I’m not being arrogant, they are not playing yet. Not the way they’re supposed to play.”
Electric first half
The intensity of the match went on for the whole 90 minutes as both teams showed the grit and determination to outclass each other. Martie Bautista produced the first shot attempt in the match after the Lasallians conceded possession two minutes into the game. Her attempt went out for a goal kick but it did not stop her from trying as she launched another one at the 4’ mark but it just went straight at Tashka Lacson.
Reigning season MVP Kyla Inquig showcased her skills at the 7’ mark of the game as she dribbled past the Ateneo defense and produced a beautiful through ball for Irish Navaja. The pacey winger then whipped a cross inside the box but found nobody. Three minutes later, Nicole Andaya connected with Navaja’s cross but her weak header was safely collected by ADMU’s goalkeeper, Marie Caparros.
DLSU continued to push for a goal with Inquig leading the way as she dictated the play from the middle of the pitch. The central midfielder generated another sublime through ball to striker Chelo Hodges but the ADMU defense reacted quickly to clear the ball away and concede a corner kick instead. Hodges took the corner with her cross nearly headed down by team captain Kyra Dimaandal but Caparros punched the ball away to deny Dimaandal her first goal of the season. The goal drought of last year’s UAAP Best Striker continued as she missed a volley from close range after receiving a perfect cross from Nicole Andaya who breezed past her defenders in the left wing.
Arrieta soon broke the deadlock as she scored her first goal of the season after converting the penalty kick in the 37th minute. It was a bittersweet moment for her, however, as she dropped on the ground seconds after scoring due to an injury. “It’s in my knee. Right now, it’s just popping and I hope it’s just something for a week of rest so I can go back and help my team,” Arrieta shared after the match.
With Arrieta sidelined for the remainder of the match and Shannon Arthur unable to play due to an injury, Smit was forced to play Inquig in the middle of the defense alongside Christina Montelibano. “I just wanted to put in Kyla, she’s the most experienced player there so we put her down. She held on anyway,” Smit answered when asked about the tactical makeshift.
Holding on
The Ateneans came out from the halftime break determined to change the tide of the game and created multiple chances to find the equalizer.
Ann Cabrera, Maria Bernardo, and Bautista each had scoring opportunities but they were all denied by Lacson as she earned her second clean sheet this season. Towards the end of the match, rookie Bea Delos Reyes unleashed a powerful shot attempt inside the box but was parried out by Caparros for a corner kick.
“Lousy. That’s all I have to say. Period. Just put there lousy,” Smit responded when asked about the team’s performance against ADMU.
“It’s not like a bed of roses just like last year, they still have to do a lot of work. The team needs to do a lot of work,” Smit ended.
As of press time, the second round schedule of the women’s football has yet to be released.
