THE ATENEO Women’s Football Team (AWFT) lose their second straight Philippine Football Federation (PFF) Women’s League Cup game as they were outclassed by the Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws, 0-5. The match was held on November 17 at the PFF National Training Center in Carmona, Cavite.
At the beginning of the match, the Blue Eagles were pressured from the back by the Lady Tamaraws. As a result of their ironclad press, the Morayta-based squad forced an error from the Ateneo backline which Carmela Altiche took advantage of as she calmly slotted one in the back of the net by the 6th minute, 0-1.
Down by a goal early on, the Blue and White showed their resiliency by coming alive in the following sequences. This increased activity by the Katipunan squad was highlighted at the 15th minute mark, when Soleil Schroth was played through on goal, but her shot was easily dealt with by FEU keeper Jessamay Lehayan.
Despite rallying on the Blue Eagles conceded their second goal of the game after FEU skipper Dionesa Tolentin thumped in a header after she received a cross from the right wing at the 22nd minute. From there, Ateneo played defensively until the half-time whistle as the Lady Tamaraws continued their attacks–just failing to capitalize on their chances in the 32nd and 39th minute. The first-half ended in the Blue and White down by two goals, 0-2.
It was more of the same story after the intermission as the Lady Tamaraws added on to their lead. Tolentin grabbed her hattrick after two goals in quick succession in the 60th and 63rd minute with her second goal coming from a beautiful combination of passes with her FEU teammate. In the last two minutes of the match, the Lady Tamaraws scored their final goal courtesy of a thunderous shot by veteran Elna Bongol.
The Blue Eagles look to snap their losing skid as they go up against KAYA Futbol Club on Saturday, November 19 at 6:30 PM at the PFF National Training Center. Fans can watch Ateneo’s games live on PFF’s YouTube channel and Facebook page.
Editor’s Note: The writer of the article, Juris Salvanera, is the current manager of the Ateneo Men’s Football Team.
Ateneo Starting XI
(GK) Casals Chelssy
Soleil Schroth
Maria Vanessa Angeles
Gabrielle Tuaño
Kassandra Zalamea
Joyce Semacio
Andrea Avedillo
(Captain) Patricia Fransisco
Pia Lumagui
Traci Lim
Astrid Ignacio
Tuloy F.C. Starting XI
(GK) Jessamay Lehayan
(Captain) Dionesa Tolentin
Janly Fontamillas
Carmela Altiche
Lyka Cuenco
Katrina Magbitang
Kyla Doctora
Lylhanie Cayabyab
Jonela Miravite
Merry Lou Soriano
Sarahgen Tulabing
