DESPITE A valiant attacking effort against title contenders Far Eastern University (FEU) Lady Tamaraws, the Ateneo Women’s Football Team (AWFT) played out a 1-1 draw on Wednesday, May 1, at the Circulo Verde Pitch, Quezon City.
The first half was characterized by strong attacking play from the Lady Eagles. At the 15th minute, Paulina Naguiat—who has been in great form as of late—nearly opened the scoreline, but FEU keeper Kimberly Pariña snuffed out her attempt with a save.
15’- AWFT’s Naguiat attempts to score but the FEU keeper denies them of their opening goal with a save. #UAAPFootball
Ateneo 0 FEU 0 pic.twitter.com/EdDkIJ1XYP
— Juliana Ong (@Jong_TheGUIDON) May 1, 2019
The Lady Eagles nearly conceded a goal in the 34th minute after Marianne Caparros mishandled a save from a freekick, but she recovered quickly to collect the ball. Nine minutes later however, FEU’s set-piece prowess resulted in their first goal of the match. Jovelle Sudaria’s freekick from distance struck the crossbar, allowing Rocelle Lecera to head in the ensuing rebound.
43’ – FEU’s offense manage to score off a header with an assist from the crossbar. #UAAPFootball
Ateneo 0 FEU 1 pic.twitter.com/35XozfP77X— Juliana Ong (@Jong_TheGUIDON) May 1, 2019
Ateneo was able to equalize in the 53rd minute courtesy of Cathy Cabrera. A handball inside the box by Lecera forced officials to reward Ateneo with a spot kick, which Cabrera calmly slotted home.
53’- GOAL! A handball error plagues FEU; officials reward Ateneo with a penalty kick. #UAAPFootball
Ateneo 1 FEU 1 pic.twitter.com/bL4XOHBWKT— Juliana Ong (@Jong_TheGUIDON) May 1, 2019
As the match came to a close, Martie Bautista had a golden opportunity to claim the three points. A swift Ateneo attack in the 81st minute was capped by an inch-perfect cross by Jill Panganiban to a wide-open Bautista inside the box, but the forward lacked power on the header. The late opportunity proved to be the final chance of the match, sealing the draw.
81’- After a swift pass from Panganiban, Bautista attempts for the goal but is yet again hindered by FEU’s Pariña. #UAAPFootball
Ateneo 1 FEU 1 pic.twitter.com/iJtZ0PK5HA— Juliana Ong (@Jong_TheGUIDON) May 1, 2019
The draw brings the Lady Eagles to a 1-2-3 win-draw-loss slate, tied with University of the Philippines with five points, though Ateneo remains in last place because of goal difference. FEU, on the other hand, remain second in the table with a 2-2-2 record.
The Lady Eagles look to garner their first win of the second round in their next match against league-leaders De La Salle University on Saturday, May 4, 3:00 PM, at the Circulo Verde Pitch, Quezon City.
Starting XIs:
Ateneo: Adao, Almeda, Bautista, Bugayong, Cabrera, Calimbo, Caparros (GK, C), Catedrilla, Diaz, Naguiat, Soriano.
FEU: Acibar, Belluga, Bongol, Fornea, Lam, Lecera, Onrubia, Pachejo (C), Pariña, Sudaria, Velasco
