THE ATENEO Women’s Football Team (AWFT) came up short in securing a win against archrivals De La Salle University (DLSU) Lady Booters in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 85. The match was held earlier today at the University of the Philippines Diliman Football Field. With the results of today’s match, the Blue Eagles remain in fifth place with a win-draw-loss record of 0-0-6.
The first half of the match marked a strong start for the Blue Eagles as impressive passes painted their performance. As the Blue and White maintained their composure and poise, their quick maneuvers proved to be favorable to their play.
Although DLSU tried to shut down Ateneo’s attempts of taking the lead, timely saves from Ateneo goalkeeper Adrielle Lee gave her team room to breathe. The Katipunan-based squad then continued to fight back with defensive gambits that created opportunities of their own.
[First half]
— Ethan M. Encarnacion (@Ethan_TheGUIDON) April 15, 2023
18’ – A save from Lee keeps the Lady Booters at bay. The match remains at an all-0 standstill.
Ateneo 0 DLSU 0#UAAPFootball pic.twitter.com/rJvfQrapmk
However, missed passes and defensive lapses became obstacles that gave Ateneo the runaround. As the Blue and White struggled to keep up with their opponents, DLSU broke the ice with a lucky bounce in the 21st minute, 1-0. Lady Booter Angelica Teves then further widened the gap as she found the net in the 23rd minute, 2-0. With the Taft-based squad pulling the strings in the bout, the first half then came to an end with another goal from the Lady Booters in the 47th minute, 3-0.
[First half]
— Ethan M. Encarnacion (@Ethan_TheGUIDON) April 15, 2023
23’ – Goal! Teves draws Blue Eagle defenders away and scores from almost outside the box.
Ateneo 0 DLSU 2#UAAPFootball
The second half then saw the Lady Booters weaving past the Blue Eagles with their offensive drives to the net. As Ateneo pushed their limits by trying to knock back the Lady Booters, another DLSU goal in the 67th minute forced the Blue Eagles to quickly regroup, 0-4.
Blue Eagle Traci Lim then gave Ateneo hopes of trimming the lead down in the 81st minute with a free kick down the line. Although Lim missed the net with a rattle to the crossbar, the Blue and White proceeded to put out their best plays.
[Second half]
— Ethan M. Encarnacion (@Ethan_TheGUIDON) April 15, 2023
81’ – Lim’s free kick attempt hits the crossbar—the closest that Ateneo has gotten to scoring a goal.
Ateneo 0 DLSU 4#UAAPFootball
Despite a grand showcase of efforts, the Blue Eagles concluded the match with a 0-4 deficit against the DLSU Lady Booters.
The Blue Eagles will now face the Far Eastern University (FEU) Lady Tamaraws on Saturday, April 22, at 4:30 PM at the same venue.
