A 2-1 loss against the De La Salle University Lady Booters closed out a frustrating round two of Season 75 for the Ateneo Lady Booters last Sunday, February 3, at the Ocampo Field.
The match was shocking right from the beginning as La Salle gained possession and scored within the first minute of play. This stunning goal was a result of forward pass from La Salle player Angel Metillo to teammate Megan Diaz. Diaz immediately crossed the ball to Cristina Viray who was right in front of the goal. With a single touch, Viray scored—leaving the Ateneo team completely rattled.
In the 21st minute, left-winger Jill Catedrilla was able to deliver the ball to rookie Camille Rodriguez. Rodriguez crossed the ball to Milka Romero, but what could have been a redemptive goal resulted in a miss.
On the 25-minute mark, the ladies in green and white formulated another attack. La Salle player Adrianne Yñiguez lobed the ball forward, and the ball found its way to Diaz. Diaz was fast approaching the goal, but Ateneo keeper Gely Tiu came running and dove. Tiu caught the ball and denied La Salle the chance to score.
After La Salle player Charmaine Guancia received a yellow card near the 40th minute, Team Ateneo had a wonderful opportunity to score when rookie Aina Martin received the ball right in front of the goal. Her attempt was blocked, but a follow-up from right-winger Cess Trinidad could have secured the goal. However, she lost balance and the ball went out of the right side of the goal.
Two minutes later, another Martin–Trinidad play was wonderfully executed, but an attempt at a header was denied.
The first half ended with La Salle leading, 1-0.
Ateneo controlled possession during the beginning of the second half and the Ateneo forwards were able to bring the ball up for a chance to score. Trinidad tapped the ball right in front of Romero, who took a straight shot. However, what could have been a spectacular goal missed the top right corner of the net.
In the 54th minute, Rodriguez was dribbling for an attack when, suddenly, La Salle player Scott tripped the former, earning a yellow card.
Excellent passing flowed from Cecile Dayrit, Trinidad, Romero and Rodriguez in the 60th minute. When the ball reached Rodriguez, she took an impressive attempt but unfortunately, it was blocked.
Four minutes later, the continuous pressure from Ateneo paid off. Cecile Dayrit was served the ball to Rodriguez. Rodriguez fed a cross toward Trinidad but the ball was blocked. Catedrilla, however, came out of nowhere for the follow and scored, tying the game, 1-1, in the 64th minute.
With the score tied, both teams played with matching intensity. A shot was taken by La Salle in the 77th minute and Tiu was able to deflect it. Unfortunately, Guancia came running and shot the ball into the lower left corner of the goal to put La Salle up, 2-1.
Ateneo’s final attempt was no good and after two minutes of stoppage time, the referee blew the whistle. The match between the archrivals ended, 2-1, granting victory to La Salle.
This match against La Salle is the Ateneo Lady Booters’s final game for the second round. Their qualification for the top two now relies on the results of the last two games of the second round, which will be held next Sunday, February 10. These games are La Salle versus the University of the Philippines and Far Eastern University versus the University of Santo Tomas.
