The DLSU Lady Booters picked up their second-straight win after defeating the NU Lady Bulldogs, 3-0, in Round 2 of the UAAP Season 89 Women’s Football Tournament on Wednesday, October 21, at the UP Diliman Football Pitch.
Maegan Alforque put the Green-and-White ahead late in the first half before Dani Tanjangco extended the lead in the 74th minute. Elisha Lubiano sealed the result with a goal off a free-kick in the 89th minute, capping a strong offensive showing from the Taft-based squad.
On the whistle
The DLSU Lady Booters entered the pitch with surging confidence following a victory from their recent battle, while the Lady Bulldogs fought tooth and nail to prevent a back-to-back win, setting the tone as they circulated possession of the ball to gain the upper hand. As the game progressed, the Green-and-White managed to penetrate the final third, keeping everyone on the edge of their seats. Alforque, Chenny Dañoso, and Lara Regarde sought to protect the ball from the Bulldogs’ pressing. Their strategic passing eventually led to Tanjangco making a play for the goal, slicing through the Blue-and-Gold defense, but was coldly shot down by Goalkeeper Queenie Magarso, bringing a glimmer of hope to Nationalians. Still, they quickly regained momentum in true Lady Booters fashion and continued threatening the Bulldogs’ backline as they occupied NU’s box. With the left-hand side unguarded by NU, Forward Jodi Banzon aimed to put an end to the scoring drought of the first half, but her shot attempt just grazed beside the goal, missing to score by a heartbeat.
Approaching the end of the first half, the Lady Booters continued to pile on pressure. Racing against the clock at the 45+4’ mark, Maegan Alforque saw an opportunity to secure a lead, tricking the defenses of the Sampaloc-based team as she crossed the ball over the goal line to put DLSU ahead, 1-0.
Sealing the deal
Following Alforque’s late first-half strike, the Lady Booters immediately carried their attacking momentum into the second half, controlling possession and pressing the Jhocson-based squad to give up the ball. The Green-and-White quickly tested NU’s defense, with Keziah Rodriguez forcing a save from Magarso in the 48th minute before Dani Tanjangco saw her own attempt denied. Tanjangco continued to threaten the Bulldogs’ backline, drawing a foul as La Salle looked to extend its lead. Dañoso orchestrated the Taft-based squad’s set-piece opportunities, but her 53rd-minute free kick was intercepted before her subsequent corner delivery sailed wide. The Lady Booters continued to search for openings, only to be denied by the white shirts’ defensive line. Elisha Lubiano later rose to meet a corner with a header, but her effort sailed over the crossbar.
The breakthrough came in the 74th minute when Tanjangco found room inside the penalty area and fired past Magarso to double La Salle’s lead. With the white shirts still unable to find a foothold in the attack, the Lady Booters continued to hunt for a third. Dañoso forced another save from Magarso before Rodriguez nearly converted a quick pass from Tanjangco, but Magarso once again kept the ball out. Despite the string of saves, the Bulldogs could not turn their defensive stops into meaningful counterattacks, leaving the Green-and-White firmly in control. Dañoso sent another attempt wide as the game entered its closing minutes, but the Lady Booters had one more goal in them. In the 89th minute, Lubiano struck from a free kick to put the result beyond doubt, making it 3-0 and capping La Salle’s dominant second-half display. The late goal sealed the shutout for the Taft-based squad, which carried its attacking pressure through the final whistle to claim its second consecutive victory.
The Lady Booters will look to build on their renewed confidence as they face the UP Fighting Maroons on Saturday, October 24, at 4:30 pm at the same venue.