The DLSU Lady Booters experienced their first UAAP Season 87 Women’s Football Tournament stumble in the hands of the defending champions FEU Lady Tamaraws, 1-0, earlier tonight, November 30, at the UP Diliman Football Pitch.
Chenny Dañoso misfired an own goal into the opponent’s box, handing FEU the decisive one-goal advantage at the 57th minute in what would have otherwise been a nil-all stalemate.
Equal efforts
Aiming to stamp their authority earlier on, the DLSU Lady Booters immediately created multiple chances in the opening exchanges. At the first minute, Lasallian attacker Arantxa Trebol was released through on goal but she was unable to control the ball, which was claimed by FEU goalkeeper Jessa Lehayan. Shortly after at the 4’ minute mark, Team Captain Shai Del Campo manufactured a chance but missed her volley that flew wide of the mark. DLSU continued to dominate possession with Lyka Teves adapting to a new role as a defender in a three-at-the-back system. However, the Lady Tamaraws eventually started to find their feet, sustaining possession high up the field to put La Salle under pressure.
The defending champions created their first notable chance at the 18th minute after a cross was played in with no Lady Booter defender able to clear the ball. Just five minutes later, Teves was cautioned with a yellow card for committing a cynical foul during an FEU attack. The consequent free kick was taken by Marinelle Cristobal of the Lady Tamaraws, but the effort traveled wide of the goal.
With the two teams eager to control the match, the midfields engaged in feisty duels, resulting in multiple fouls on both ends. Amid the combative affair, rookie Danie Tanjangco created La Salle’s biggest chance after running through the FEU defense, yet her shot was parried away by Lehayan. In the next play at the 40th minute, Del Campo attempted to drive through the Tamaraw backline but was fouled just outside the penalty area. The resulting free kick was taken by DLSU’s Rocelle Mendaño, but her shot flew high over the opposing net. Before either team was able to generate another opportunity, the referee blew the halftime whistle, signaling the end to an evenly matched half, 0-all.
Logging lapses
Following an uneventful first half, both teams entered the second half with a sense of urgency. La Salle goalkeeper Jessica Pido was called into action right away as reigning MVP Dionesa Tolentin of FEU continuously intercepted the Lady Booters’ chances and spearheaded her team’s drive. In the 47th minute, Del Campo made a push down the middle but sent the ball astray to an area without her teammates.
The evenly matched teams kept thwarting each other’s chances while dealing with recurring miscues. Carmela Altiche hurried toward the goal, only to misfire a cutback that went off target. Despite the Lasallians’ efforts, the Lady Tamaraws were far from giving up on their chances. Judie Arevalo confronted Pido inside the box with hopes of propelling FEU forward; and despite scoring, her goal was disallowed as Referee Timothy De Castro’s whistle had blown before the attempt.
Although it was a struggle, the Lady Booters maintained a solid defense against the aggressive Lady Tamaraws, who kept possession of the ball and took most of the shots. Marked by several Lady Booters, Tolentin kept the push alive for FEU. However, an intercepting Dañoso, who was out for retribution, miscalculated and fired an own goal into FEU’s box, handing the league-leading team a 1-0 advantage in the 57th minute.
Bent on equalizing the score, the Lasallians displayed newfound aggression, resulting in a yellow card for Mendaño after tracking Sarahgen Tulabing’s run too closely at the 65’ mark. Head Coach Alvin Ocampo introduced fresh legs in Maria Layacan and Michaela Maligalig to devise a more potent play for the Lady Booters, all while FEU sought a safety goal. Layacan partnered up with star rookie Tanjangco and Dañoso with the latter seeking to atone for her earlier defensive mistake, but their trials were blocked off by FEU’s consistent defense and counterattacks.
Tanjangco continued to take the lead in the final moments of the game, but her eager effort to strike in the 90’ mark went above the crossbar. The Lady Booters failed to capitalize on the seven minutes of added time; FEU’s defense held firm even with their last-ditch efforts.
The Green-and-White look to recover from an unfortunate defeat as they face the UP Fighting Maroons in their final elimination round match next Saturday, December 7, at 4 pm at the same venue.
