THE ATENEO Women’s Football Team (AWFT) held their heads high after a promising campaign throughout the two-week United Women’s Invitational Football League held from August 1 to 14, 2024. The Katipunan-based squad played their matches at the Rizal Memorial Stadium in the City of Manila and the University of the Philippines Diliman Football Field in Quezon City.
Ateneo vs. UST
The Blue Eagles started their campaign against the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Lady Booters in a match that could only be described as a goal glut. The fireworks erupted early at the expense of the AWFT, with UST’s Rica Gerona opening the scoring in the 19th minute, and Gly Añonuevo completing the Lady Booters’ quickfire double four minutes later at the 23rd, 0-2. Ateneo pegged back via Jada Bicierro’s goal in the 31st minute, ending the first half, 2-1, in favor of UST.
Living up to expectations, the goals did not stop in the second half, with Bicierro nabbing the equalizer at the 53rd minute, followed by Angely Alferez’s remarkable find at the back of the net at the 63rd to finally complete Ateneo’s comeback, 3-2. The España-based side would not let up though, with Añonuevo securing her brace at the 81st minute, 3-3.
In what could have ended as an entertaining draw, Bicierro showed up at the death, scoring the winner for the Blue Eagles at the second minute of stoppage time. The game ended 4-3 in favor of the Blue and White, with the goal securing Bicierro her hat-trick and the match’s Player of the Game honors.
Ateneo vs. Kaya FC-Iloilo
After the breathtaking win, the Blue Eagles proceeded to face off against reigning Philippine Football Federation (PFF) Women’s League champions Kaya FC-Iloilo. In what was a stifling affair in which the Blue Eagles were undoubtedly heavy underdogs, the AWFT eked out an impressive 0-0 draw. Raya Tolentino stood tall, and was named Player of the Game by ensuring Ateneo’s clean sheet and maintaining their unbeaten record in the tournament.
Ateneo vs. UP
The Blue Eagles’ final match saw them face neighboring rivals University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons, which saw their unbeaten streak end. The Diliman-based squad dictated the game with its intense pressing and incisive build-up play, forcing the Blue and White to play at their pace.
The Blue Eagles went down early on at the 10th minute via an Isalyn Tundag running in behind defense and beating the Blue and White at their near post at the 10th minute, 0-1. Ateneo could not prevent UP from doubling their lead four minutes later, with Chantal Van Ommeren scoring a goal of her own by also running in behind Ateneo’s defense through the middle and placing her shot into the bottom right corner, 0-2.
The onslaught continued in the second half as Tundag netted her brace at the 59th minute and widened Ateneo’s deficit to 0-3, as quick and direct build-up play from UP allowed her to score a one-on-one chance by placing the ball into the far corner. The rout was completed at the 81st minute as a sequence of sharp passes from UP ended with a Hannah Muros goal, 0-4.
With the conclusion of the game, the AWFT ended its run at the United Women’s Invitational Football League with one win, one draw, and one loss. The Blue Eagles also scored four goals while conceding seven, along with an additional clean sheet.
