The DLSU Lady Booters fell out of contention in the PFF Women’s League after losing to Kaya FC-Iloilo, 2-1, in the semifinals of the competition earlier tonight, October 7, at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.
Striking first
Lyka Teves broke the ice with her 18th-minute goal after Shai Del Campo’s tackle on the Kaya defense, coolly slotting it past the keeper, 1-0. DLSU shot-stopper Jessica Pido was kept busy throughout the early going, preventing a one-on-one situation with central attacker Shelah Cadag at 36′. However, Cadag continued to give La Salle problems as she had a clear chance inside the box, but the Kaya FC-Iloilo forward sent her shot over the crossbar to ease any threat.
The 11 from Taft threatened Kaya in the final moments of the half but struggled to get clear shots on goal, with their second biggest chance being a two-touch finish from Teves that former Lady Booters Inna Palacios saved routinely at the 44-minute mark.
Losing their grip
Cadag finally had her breakthrough early into the second half at the 48′ with a tap-in after an assist from Cam Rodriguez to tie the scoreline, 1-all. The Green and White defense continued to break down as Kaya continuously pushed the ball into their defensive third.
Rodriguez was far from done, however, as she created more problems for the La Salle defense by swapping over to the left wing. She penetrated the box before being brought down for a penalty in the 63rd minute. In prime position to put her side up, Hazel Lustan calmly converted from the spot to take the lead, 2-1, for Kaya FC-Iloilo.
The Green and White’s offense reached a standstill in the second half, being unable to create any clear chances of tying the game up once again. On the other hand, Kaya FC-Iloilo was in full stride, creating chance after chance, but Pido held down the first for La Salle. Kaya came close to putting the nail in the coffin after Maria Tanjangco hit the crossbar. Despite their fortune, DLSU was unable to pull the game back, losing 2-1 at the final whistle.
After notching an astounding 18 goals in 10 games, goalscorer Teves was quick to deflect praise to her coaches, “Lahat ng sinasabi ng mga coaches namin, ina-apply ko lang.”
(Everything the coaches say, I just make sure to apply it.)
After a solid run in the competition prior to today’s defeat, Teves shared that her side learned a lot from their stint at the PFF Women’s League that they can carry over to their next UAAP campaign, saying “Marami kaming [mistakes], i-trabaho pa natin yan.”
Following this unfortunate defeat, the DLSU Women’s Football Team will look to finish the tournament on a high note when they take on the FEU Tamaraws in their battle-for-third match.
