THE ATENEO Women’s Football Team (AWFT) defeated the University of the Philippines (UP), 1-0, in their last fixture of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 80 Women’s Football tournament on Saturday, March 17 at the Rizal Memorial Stadium in Manila.
The Lady Eagles finish the season at fourth place with a total of eight points. The team scored a total of seven goals and conceded 12, with AWFT forward Tessa Bernardo earning the distinction of top scorer with two goals.
UP dominated from kickoff, playing within the Ateneo half in the early stages of the match. On her first full start for the Lady Eagles, goalkeeper Moira Lim was called into action several times in the first quarter of the match. Lim made three crucial saves to keep the Blue and Whites on level terms with the Maroons while they pushed forward in search of a goal.
Forward Martie Bautista had a great opportunity on goal after a clever run from defender Cathy Cabrera sent her through, but the opposition managed to scramble the ball out for a corner. Bautista then crafted a solo chance at the stroke of halftime by dribbling in from the byline, but the veteran forward could not open up the angle to really trouble the keeper.
Head Coach Jaypee Merida made tactical changes at halftime, giving skipper Nona Amoncio a more offensive role as the Lady Eagles pushed for the game winner. The Blue and Whites faced a number of threats but also found space to attack a brittle Lady Maroons defensive line.
Mariane Caparros came closest in the 50th minute, before Amoncio pounced on a GK error within the penalty area to convert into an empty net. The Lady Eagles then rode out the flurry of UP attacks and outlasted the opposition to escape with the 1-0 win.
The final whistle at the Rizal Memorial Stadium meant the end of the football careers of Amoncio, Caparros, Nicole Bugayong, and Pia Villaflor, who depart the AWFT with their heads held high.
Merida was the first to heap praise on his departing captain, hardly containing his joy after the game. “For this game, I’m so happy with the result, especially with my captain scoring the winning goal in our last game,” he said.
The head coach also added, “I’m so proud of ‘yung ginawa ni Nona, especially this year. Talaga nandun siya, tinutulungan niya ako. I’m so happy na siya pa ‘yung nag-goal sa last year niya sa UAAP (I’m so proud of what Nona did, especially this year. She was really there, helping me. I’m so happy that she was the one who scored in her last year in the UAAP).”
On the departure of four Lady Eagles, Merida said, “Madaming dumaan sa aming pagsubok like the injuries to a lot of players, so I am proud of my team because kahit daming nangyari, hindi sila nag-give up (We faced a lot of challenges like the injuries to a lot of players, so I am proud of my team because, even though a lot happened, they never gave up).”
Ateneo Starting XI:
Lim (GK), Bugayong, Cabrera, Calimbo, Liwanag, Catedrilla, Diaz, Amoncio (C), Andaya, Bautista, Caparros
Ateneo Substitutions:
12’ – Villaflor on for Andaya
46’ – Ferrer on for Liwanag
90’ – Bernardo on for Ferrer
