THE ATENEO Women’s Football Team (AWFT) fell to De La Salle University (DLSU) 0-1 for the second time in two weeks in the second round of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Women’s Football tournament on Saturday, March 3, at the Rizal Memorial Stadium in Manila. A second half strike from DLSU Captain Kyra Dimaandal was enough to seal the victory for the Taft-based university.
This loss leaves the Lady Eagles with a 1-2-3 win-draw-loss record in the tournament, concluding their run with a total of five points and a goal difference of -1. The loss means that the Lady Eagles, who currently occupy fourth place on the tables, can no longer claim a spot in the finals of the tournament. A third place finish is the best-case scenario for the Blue and White at this stage in the campaign.
With AWFT midfielder Jolly Catedrilla off duty with illness, forward Tessa Bernardo sidelined by injury, and striker Martie Bautista suspended after her second yellow card in the previous match against Far Eastern University (FEU), Lady Eagles Head Coach Jaypee Merida fielded a makeshift starting XI, debuting several of his rookies and playing some Lady Eagles out of position.
Defender Mischa Soriano and forward Christina Aniceto played their first full games, having both featured as second half substitutes in the previous match. Starting fullbacks Pia Villaflor and Nicole Bugayong were assigned to play in more advanced positions–Villaflor occupying the left-wing role and Bugayong heading the attack. Soriano slotted in as a right back, winger Rafi Javier occupied the other defensive flank, and Team Captain Nona Amoncio paired up with Pam Diaz in midfield.
The Lady Archers dominated the opening stages of the match, forcing major defensive work from Cathy Cabrera, Icee Calimbo, and goalkeeper Mariane Caparros. Though potent chances afforded DLSU multiple sights-on-goal, they lacked the lethal final touch to convert before halftime.
The Ateneo-side of the crowd verbally expressed their disbelief when second-string keeper Moira Lim made her official debut at the second half, which sent Caparros out of goal to operate on the field. Lim was called into action within a minute, displaying confidence and speed to stop a free kick.
DLSU skipper Kyra Dimaandal pounced on a poor defensive clearance in the 57th minute to slot a low shot past Lim, giving the Lady Archers the well-deserved lead. The goal prompted Merida to shift the formation of his team to allow more players to bomb forward in the hopes of salvaging a goal.
The final whistle signalled a second 0-1 victory for DLSU over Ateneo this season, officially knocking the Lady Eagles out of the running for the crown.
The Lady Eagles now have their sights set on a third-place finish to end the campaign, with two fixtures yet to be played. Ateneo will face University of Santo Tomas (UST) on Wednesday, March 14 at the Rizal Memorial Stadium in Manila.
Ateneo Starting XI
Caparros (GK), Soriano, Calimbo, Cabrera, Javier, Amoncio (C), Diaz, Ferrer, Villaflor, Aniceto, Bugayong
Ateneo Substitutions
45’ – Lim on for Aniceto
