The DLSU Lady Booters emerged victorious over the ADMU Blue Eagles, 1-0, with an impressive defensive display in their UAAP Season 87 Women’s Football Tournament matchup earlier tonight, October 19, at the UP Diliman Football Pitch.
Lyka Teves’ composed penalty at the 18’ mark, along with Elisha Lubiano’s dominant defense, sealed the three points for the Green-and-White.
Relentless aggression
Looking to continue their unbeaten streak, the Lady Booters started off strong, controlling possession in the first five minutes of the match. However, the next few minutes saw the action remain largely confined to the midfield as neither team created chances early on. La Salle, though slightly more composed, found it difficult to penetrate Ateneo’s organized defense. Meanwhile, the Blue Eagles struggled to maintain possession, appearing tentative in their build-up.
In the 18th minute, La Salle’s offensive efforts finally bore fruit. A slick passing sequence cut through Ateneo’s midfield. Shai Del Campo was once again in the thick of the action, penetrating deep into the box. This time, she was brought down, earning a penalty for her side. Teves stepped up with poise and confidently blasted the ball into the left corner, leaving Ateneo goalkeeper Chelssy Casals rooted to the spot, 1-0, as the Blue Eagles struggled to keep pace and find any offensive rhythm.
From the 20th to the 30th minute, the action slowed as both teams battled in midfield with La Salle controlling the tempo and Ateneo showing little sign of breaking through. Despite the slower pace, La Salle remained dominant, maintaining their firm grip on the match and keeping Ateneo pinned in their own half, unable to build any sustained attacks. Ateneo finally found a glimmer of hope in the 35th minute when Jada Biccierio broke free from her defender and surged into La Salle’s box, only to waste the opportunity with a wayward shot over the bar. Nonetheless, La Salle continued their relentless pressure, forcing Casals to make several crucial saves as both Del Campo and Teves fired shots on target, narrowly missing chances to extend their lead.
As the first half drew to a close, La Salle continued to press for a second goal with Teves and Del Campo creating dangerous chances between the 40th and 45th minutes, only to see their efforts miss by inches. In stoppage time, Del Campo nearly doubled La Salle’s lead with a powerful shot deep inside the box, but the ball flashed just wide of the post, sending the teams into halftime with La Salle holding a narrow advantage, 1-0.
Lubiano stands firm
Aiming to add more goals to the scoreline, the Lasallians started the second half by clipping down the wings of the Blue Eagles. A chance opened right away in the 46th minute when Del Ocampo crossed the ball from the right to Micha Santiago. However, the defender was unable to meet the pass with any solid contact. Just moments later, at the 48’ mark, Del Ocampo created yet another chance by dribbling the ball through the Ateneo defense, but her shot sailed a few inches past the goalpost.
With La Salle still in firm control of the game, midfielders Chenny Dañoso and Teves continued to act as the team’s anchors, spraying passes across the entire squad with their playmaking ability. Meanwhile, the Ateneo forwards were unable to get past the DLSU defense as center back Elisha Lubiano constantly outmuscled and outran her opponents.
Still looking to extend the lead, the Green-and-White continued to pelt Ateneo goalkeeper Casals with multiple efforts. At the 70th minute, a strong header from Maria Lacayan was heading goal-bound. However, the Atenean goalkeeper tipped the ball towards safety. At the 72’ point, substitute Aliexa Casi also tried her luck with a strong effort from distance, but the shot was once again saved by Casals. Not long after, at the 77th minute, attacker Danielle Tanjangco used her agility and quick feet to create space and unleash a shot from close range, yet her shot went just wide.
With time ticking fast, the Ateneo midfield started passing with urgency, aiming to catch their counterparts off guard. But the Lasallians remained alert, not allowing any space for the Blue Eagles. As the referee signaled five minutes of additional time, Ateneo managed to create their most dangerous chance of the game when they were awarded a free kick. Even so, the Lady Booters were impenetrable, clearing the Atenean attack and even launching a counterattack in the 90+5’ mark with Tanjangco blitzing towards the Atenean goal. However, her shot rolled just shy of the left bottom corner, and the referee blew the final whistle right after.
With this win, the Lady Booters maintain their winning run, now holding a strong 3-0-0 standing. Their next and final clash of Round One will be the biggest challenge yet–a rematch of last season’s finals–when they take on defending champions FEU Tamaraws on October 30, at 6 pm, at the same venue.
