The DLSU Lady Booters made a statement victory against the UST Golden Tigresses, 3-2, in the UAAP Season 89 Women’s Football Tournament this evening, October 3, at the UP Diliman Football Pitch.
Jodi Banzon kick-started the Lasallians’ advantage with an early stunner by the 12th minute, followed by a gap-widening second run by the 28th minute, assisted by Meagan Alforque and Chenny Dañoso, respectively. Lara Amante scored in the second half as they staved off a desperate Thomasian offense.
Forward and back
A minute into the kickoff, the DLSU Lady Booters initially fell behind the Thomasian opening attack deep in their territory. Launching a swift counterattack, the Lady Booters bypassed the halfway line, drawing in defenders towards the right flank. After 12 minutes of back-and-forth action, the strikers found their opening as Meagan Alforque cut right, pulling defenders away from an awaiting Banzon. With a high pass, Alforque skipped traffic, allowing Banzon to deliver a 1-0 shocker behind the defense.
Growing bolder, the Taft-based squad gained a foothold, but the Tigresses solidified their backline to halt La Salle’s momentum. Facing a tightly packed defense, the Lasalians failed numerous charges and left their flank open to UST’s counterattacks. After consecutive stalled sequences, Alforque teamed up with Dañoso for a second run, shooting with precision to widen the gap to 2-0 in the 27th minute.
UST’s Martinez responded swiftly, cutting the deficit to 2-1. At the 30th minute, by exploiting the same gap on the left flank. The final minutes of the half saw the Tigresses’ aggression as they launched salvo after salvo at goalkeeper Jeca Pido. Following a brief injury stoppage at the 42nd minute, the half extended three minutes of added time. Despite fierce midfield opposition, Pido’s strict guard allowed the Green-and-White to withstand the Thomasian onslaught and maintain their 2-1 lead.
Holding the line
Entering the second half with a one-goal cushion, the DLSU Lady Booters kept up relentless defensive pressure while targeting the corners to dismantle the UST Golden Tigresses. The Taft-based squad immediately imposed their will, with Dañoso controlling the midfield to generate early scoring chances. This aggression paid off for Amante as she snuck into the box and fired a left-footed volley into the net at the 51st minute to establish a comfortable 3-1 Green-and-White cushion.
Unfazed by the two-goal advantage, the Lady Booters kept their foot on the gas. Alforce relentlessly exploited the right flank, nearly extending the lead at the 57th minute with a shot that ricocheted off the post. Recognizing the physical toll of their high-paced offense, Coach Joyce Landangan checked in Keziah Rodriguez to inject fresh legs and immediately disrupt the opposition’s passing lanes. With Maya Lubano consistently anchoring the defense, the Lasallians forced UST into predictable, telegraphed long balls that safely ended as goal kicks. However, desperation slowly crept into the Golden Tigresses’ camp, and despite a crucial stop by Pido, Rica Gerona found the back of the net in the 77th minute to trim the deficit to one, 3-2.
Clinging to a narrow lead in the final minutes, La Salle relied on their defensive anchors to prevent an equalizer. Jelena Soon and Dani Tanjangco stepped up with timely interventions, relentlessly applying pressure and keeping the ball in the attacking third. As the match bled into four minutes of extra time, a controversial substitution briefly left the Taft-based squad down to 10 players on the pitch. With Amanda Cordero eventually checking in to restore order, Dañoso forced La Salle’s first corner kick of the game. The remaining time on the clock was effectively drained, giving the Lady Booters the 3-2 victory.
The DLSU Lady Booters will put their unblemished record on the line in a battle against the reigning champions, the FEU Lady Tamaraws, on Wednesday, October 7, at the same venue.