Despite a late rally, the DLSU Lady Booters were dealt with deja vu after a crushing Round Two defeat against the FEU Lady Tamaraws, 2-1, as they missed a chance to punch their ticket early to the UAAP Season 88 Women’s Football Finals earlier tonight, November 5, at the UP Diliman Football Pitch.
Team Captain Steph Goñe grabbed a late goal at the 90+1’ mark to give the Lady Booters hope. However, Marienell Cristobal’s first-half goals at the seventh and 27th minute were enough to give the defending champions the victory.
Mutual aggression
With a potential finals preview underway, the Lady Booters came out of the gates hot: maintaining an aggressive offense, deploying a high press to disrupt FEU possession down the line, resulting in a strike by Mikaela Villacin that went beyond the post. Soon after, the Tamaraws—known for their potent offense and solid defense—ramped things up as a long-range pass on the Green-and-White’s box allowed Cristobal to score a goal at the seventh minute mark.
Despite the odds, the Taft-based squad remained steadfast in their high press as the game unfolded through a series of clearances between the squad, with no clear line on who controlled possession. The Lady Tamaraws retaliated from their box, inching their way towards the Lady Booters’ wings. The match then raged on, intensifying the physicality from both teams, as DLSU were determined in utilizing their wings to seize chances at striking on target, leading to Mari Layacan sending a missed shot on target at the 24th minute, from a pass by Villacin. The Tamaraws maintained an aggressive counterplay which was rewarded as Cristobal struck from beyond the box at the 27th minute, converting her second goal of the match as DLSU trailed, 2-0.
With their backs against the wall, the Lady Booters focused on getting back into the game by immediately following up with aggressive counterattacks from the wing. Moments later, Jodie Banzon placed a clear-cut corner pass that went off target as FEU goalkeeper Jessa Lehayan maintained control on the defensive end. Now confronted with the gravity of the situation, the defending champions slowed down the pace of the match as they took their time to deploy and began with a slow offense leading to a pass at the 37th mark into the Lady Booters’ box, giving FEU a chance to strike but this was cleared by the Taft-side goalkeeper Jessica Pido once more. Although the majority of the possessions remained within the boots of the Green-and-White, FEU still looked dangerous on the offense late into the half. Even with the multiple chances at counterattacks all throughout the half, with Chenny Dañoso attempting another shot only to be saved by Lehayan, the Lady Archers settled the first half behind at 2-0.
Leaving it late
The Lady Booters showed early intent to find a goal in the second half with their pace and quick passes, but the Lady Tamaraws slowed down the tempo of the game at every dead ball. Villacin carried the threat for La Salle, creating chances from her crosses, including an inswinging corner that forced a save from Lehayan. However, the Green-and-White’s momentum slowed down after the Lady Tamaraws fixed their defensive lines and press.
The white shirts were forced to shoot long shots outside of the box as the defending champs’ defensive tactics halted them from getting to the final third. However, DLSU was able to swing the momentum back into their side as full backs Steph Goñe and Micha Santiago ventured into more advanced positions to assist the forward line. With more possession to create chances, La Salle was handed a chance at the 70th minute from a free kick, but Layacan’s header went wide.
Against the run of play, Cristobal was handed a golden opportunity to seal her hat trick when she was left open at the edge of the box at a counterattack, but Pido made a wonderful save to keep the scoreline as it is. The Lady Tamaraws were unable to build on their goal scorer’s shot, allowing the Lasallians to attack and launch diagonal passes from the wings once again. Dañoso looked to finally stain FEU’s clean sheet at the 88th minute when a corner kick found her wide open just outside the box, but she was still unable to find the back of the net. Still, La Salle remained aggressive and team captain Goñe gave the Lady Booters a lifeline when she tapped in the rebound from Lehayan’s save at the 90+1’ mark, 2-1. Even so, Goñe’s goal proved to be just a consolation as time ran out for DLSU to find an equalizer to hand them their third defeat of the season.
Endurance proved to be the key factor in the match, especially with the goal beyond the 90-minute mark, serving as a testament to the type of culture the Lady Booters have built together. Coach Alvin Ocampo highlights this very culture in his post-game interview: “Now, today’s game is a test of their character, of those that last the whole 90 minutes, and trying to get that win builds character for everyone,” he stated.
The Lady Booters missed their chance to formalize their return to the finals, but they have one more opportunity to set a rematch with the defending champions when they take on the UST Golden Tigresses on Saturday, November 8, at 6:30 pm at the same venue.
