The DLSU Lady Booters fell to a shocking 1-0 defeat to the UP Fighting Maroons after a hard-fought battle in the UAAP Season 89 Women’s Football Tournament earlier tonight, October 24, at the UP Diliman Football Pitch.
Their second defeat of the tournament transpired after Hannah Muros scored a dagger goal in the first half at the 33’ mark, 1-0.
Maroon breakthrough
As the opening whistle blew on a breezy pitch, the two contenders strode knowing whichever side reigned supreme would have their chances amplified at a Final Four bid. The first half began with the same fiery faces and conviction to get through the goalmouth. The Green-and-White began their onslaught, charging through the opening minutes, but failed to transform opportunities into brandishing goals.
After weathering an agonizing assault from the Lady Booters and riding the rhythm of defense, the Fighting Maroons launched a counter-attack to disrupt the Lasallian chemistry. The Katipunan-based squad vied for the opposite of the other side’s failure, converting their own chances. Maroon standout Muros vowed a contentious rematch against Lasallian goalkeeper Jessica Pido after successfully riding off her goal-making play. At breakneck speed, the UP fourth-year midfielder gave hope of an untarnished legacy after scoring in the 33rd minute, 1-0.
Echoing La Salle’s missed chances, forward playmaker Maegan Alforque saw her equalizing bid fall short after failing to convert a wide-open shot that even the Maroon defenders could not thwart. Even with Animo backline stalwart Ushin Valencia in the mix, the struggle for the pitch’s limelight was grueling, as she came close to going neck-and-neck with the Maroon adversaries after a long-range free kick rattled only the crossbar.
Ending the first-half skirmish in favor of the Maroons, the Lady Booters hoped the squandered chances would not carry over into the latter half, as they aimed to protect their unbeaten streak.
Squandered chances
Under the moonlit pitch, the DLSU Lady Booters entered the second half trailing 1-0, and immediately deployed a high press to hunt an equalizer. However, their build-up play was abruptly halted in the 48th minute when Dani Tanjangco took a rough tackle to the shin, resulting in a yellow card for UP defender Julian Arrojado. With Tanjangco sidelined, Keziah Rodriguez stepped onto the pitch to try to orchestrate the counterattack for the Green-and-White.
Despite the physical toll, La Salle remained relentless, surging into the final third, though the Fighting Maroons disrupted passing lanes quickly and sparked their own counterattacks. UP’s Daday Rivas and Isalyn Tundag continuously threatened on the break, forcing the Lasallians into scrambling transition defense. The Taft-based squad found their prime chance to respond following the hour mark when Valencia won a dead-ball situation just outside the penalty area. Her direct shot curled beautifully but painfully rattled off the woodwork, leaving the Lasallians scoreless against the opposition’s swarming defensive scheme.
With desperation mounting in crunch time, Jelia Buebos, Amanda Cordero, and Ella Asuncion were brought out to mount a final push against the tired, stagnant DLSU frontline. The defensive pair of Jelena Soon and Elisha Lubiano stood resolute for La Salle, consistently sweeping away danger and launching long balls to ignite quick offensive surges. Yet, the Lady Booters’ fluidity remained completely disjointed, plagued by sloppy set pieces and forced throw-ins. A final stoppage-time delivery from Valencia was squandered, extinguishing the Green-and-White’s hopes of an equalizer to split the points and yielding the match to notch their second loss of the season, 1-0.
Seeking to resolve their offensive disconnect in the final third, the DLSU Lady Booters look to bounce back as they return to the pitch for a highly anticipated showdown against the FEU Tamaraws on Wednesday, October 28, at the same venue.