The DLSU Lady Booters continued their victory spree in the UAAP Season 89 Women’s Football Tournament with a 2-0 shutout of the NU Lady Bulldogs earlier today, September 30, at the UP Diliman Football Pitch.
Jodi Banzon broke the deadlock at the 39’ mark after breaking free from the NU defense, while Chenny Dañoso buried a finish into the bottom corner in the 57th minute to double the lead.
Point of rupture
From the opening whistle, the DLSU Lady Booters were unbothered by new opposition, settling into their usual stride and dictating the early tempo. Boasting a more aggressive attacking posture, the green shirts worked both flanks and kept the ball within their attacking third. They soon fashioned their first chance through Dani Tanjangco, but NU goalie Quenie Magarso was quick to fend off the early danger. Banzon picked out Dañoso six minutes in, who got a shot away in cramped space after the slightest escape from the two defenders at her tail, only to send it wide.
Still searching for the breakthrough, the Green-and-White unleashed three more attempts, though each came from tight angles or lacked the conviction to trouble Magarso. The Lady Bulldogs had begun to anticipate the frequent passes to Maegan Alforque on the right wing, with a white shirt eventually jockeying her one-on-one and forcing her ensuing effort straight into Magarso’s hands.
As the Lady Bulldogs found their footing, they breached DLSU’s defensive third through Francine Noche, who spearheaded their first push toward the box, but to no avail. The warning was enough to put the Taft-based squad on alert, prompting another reliance on Alforque, whose back-to-back attempts were swallowed by a sea of defenders. At the other end, Magarso was quickly becoming La Salle’s headache, standing between Banzon and Tanjangco and the back of the net with two timely saves.
By the 30-minute mark, La Salle’s 12 shots had yet to yield a reward. Banzon looked poised to carve out an opening, only to be met by Jashmine Fernandez’s tackle, while Dañoso’s ball came dangerously close to the box before Lizzie Torre rose to head it away. NU’s resistance would only last so long, however, as Banzon split the compact defensive line and directed her finish into the middle of the net, finally putting her team ahead, 1-0.
With their persistence finally paying off, Ushin Valencia and Dañoso pressed for another, although both chances came in haste. The Sampaloc-based squad, meanwhile, struggled to mount a response, confined to a series of throw-ins and unable to register a shot on target as they entered the break trailing 1-0.
Coup de grâce
Coming into the second half, the physicality of NU’s backline remained prominent in keeping the Lady Booters at bay, rendering them scoreless despite numerous opportunities. Following back-and-forth clashes, La Salle continued to pick up the pace, staying in control of the game with fluid ball movement. Just as the Lady Bulldogs were on the verge of finding their footing, the Taft-based squad remained resilient in keeping the pressure with their defensive tactics to secure possession of the ball.
Taking advantage of the Lady Bulldogs’ defensive gaps, DLSU seized a golden opportunity with a perfect pass from Amante on the midfield towards Dañoso, launching a left-footed low drive goal at the 57′ mark to grant La Salle the 2-0 advantage. Even when the Lady Booters marched onward with their aggression, the Sampaloc-based squad refused to quit that denied them several shots on target through crucial saves and a line clearance to keep their scoring hopes alive.
In the last legs of the duel, the Lasallian squad held on to their 2-0 lead, keeping their composure in keeping a clean sheet throughout the match. The Green-and-White secured their third straight win as they successfully contained the feisty up-and-coming NU Lady Bulldogs, 2-0.
The Green-and-White seek to extend their winning ways as they clash against the UST Golden Tigresses at the same venue on Saturday, October 3, at 4:30 pm.