The DLSU Lady Booters opened up their UAAP Season 89 Women’s Football Tournament campaign with a 1-0 victory over the UP Fighting Maroons earlier today, September 23, at the UP Diliman Football Pitch.
Lara Amante found the cunning strike at the 58’ mark to clinch the lone goal, 1-0.
Tight contest
The first half kicked off with both teams vying for control of the ball, as the Lady Booters maintained greater possession while UP’s counterattacks did not gain offensive momentum. DLSU’s attacks paid off, gaining the first corner kick of the match after a drive into the Fighting Maroons’ box. The Diliman-based squad could only clear the ball as the Green-and-White’s suffocating offense held the maroon shirts in a chokehold, as they secured a free kick.
The Lady Booters shifted to the defensive end of the pitch as counterattacks kept piling closer to their net, with a cross from the Fighting Maroons into their box going wide, and another shot from UP’s Rajah Garido side-netting. However, a close call came as Ushin Valencia fumbled the ball, leading to maroon shirt Hannah Muros shooting on target, which Green-and-White goalkeeper Jessica Pido saved. Urgency washed over the Taft-based squad, with attempt after attempt on their net edging closer. Jodi Banzon came into the La Salle pitch to tidy up the defense, while Pido saved another shot on target from Muros.
The physical match ensued as high-pressure defenses forced both teams to settle for passes to maintain possession. DLSU found a late first-half corner kick, which led to a Stephanie Gonē kick that was saved by the UP goalkeeper. Chenny Dañoso regained possession shortly afterwards, finding Gonē, who converted crafty dribbles into another foul. Banzon’s free kick found the box, but with no one to receive it, the Lady Booters concluded the half in a tense stalemate, 0-all.
Amante strikes
Entering the second half with their starting line-up intact, the Green-and-White quickly asserted their midfield control, with Banzon orchestrating multiple offensive set-ups against a re-energized UP side with multiple substitutions to start the half. Multiple scoring opportunities were created and led to an initial on-target attempt, but it was deflected; however, La Salle drew a crucial free kick near the penalty box at the 55th-minute mark to set the stage for the opening goal.
The deadlock finally broke in the 56th minute as Amante swooped in and delivered a header to secure a 1-0 advantage for the Taft-based squad. As Banzon launched a powerful strike from the free kick that the UP defense could only parry, Amante snaked her way inside for the clinical finish as the Lady Booters posed for the cameras. Desperate for an equalizer, the Fighting Maroons intensified their offensive pressure, but the Lasallians’ disciplined backline thwarted any shift in momentum. To sustain control and adapt to the increased pace following a cooling break, Keziah Rodriguez subbed in for Banzon in the 74th minute to provide fresh legs for the Green-and-White.
Tensions boiled over in the dying minutes of the game, as UP pressed deep into DLSU territory to salvage the match, attempting to float desperate passes that led to side-outs. Pido commanded the defensive stops, directing her defenders and the wall to neutralize a dangerous UP free kick with 10 minutes left. Adding to the drama, a controversial no-call on an alleged handball incensed UP coach Andres Gonzales, earning him a double yellow card, a red card, and subsequent ejection. Despite a late defensive miscommunication that awarded UP a corner kick in the dying moments of extra time and an injury scare after Goñe slipped on the pitch, the Lady Booters cleared any danger to secure the hard-fought win, 1-0.
The DLSU Lady Booters will look to clean up defensive miscommunications and offensive execution, and continue their momentum as they prepare for a high-stakes rivalry match against the ADMU Blue Eagles on Saturday, September 26, at the same venue.