THE ATENEO Blue Eagles stunned the De La Salle University (DLSU) Lady Booters, 1-0, in their second encounter of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Women’s Football Tournament. The match was held earlier today, October 25, at the University of the Philippines Diliman Football Field in Quezon City.
The Ateneo Women’s Football Team (AWFT) now holds a 3-2-2 win-draw-loss record with a -2 goal difference, remaining third in the overall standings.
Scoring the Blue and White’s lone goal against the UAAP Season 87 silver medalists, rookie Celina Salazar was named Player of the Match, with Jada Bicierro providing the assist. Within Ateneo’s defensive third, veteran goalkeeper Chelssy Casals recorded a clean sheet after timely stops and calculated catches that kept DLSU at bay. Moreover, this result was the Blue Eagles’ first win against the Lady Booters in over a decade, with the last victory dating back to Season 77.
In a battle of defense, the Ateneo and DLSU backlines and goalkeepers limited both team’s scoring opportunities for the first half. Looking to kickstart their squad’s offense, Salazar connected with Team Captain KC Zalamea at the third minute; however, the attempt was thwarted by Lady Booter Elisha Lubiano.
The AWFT then utilized quick passes in the succeeding minutes, while the Taft-based team guarded the Blue Eagles with close pressing. In the 10th minute, Angely Alferez raced down the left flank to aim for a chance at goal, but DLSU Team Captain Stephanie Goñe interjected with an offside kick.
Adamant to gain the AWFT’s first goal, forwards Bicierro and Kristine Napoles responded with charges down the Lady Booters’ defensive third. In spite of scoring opportunities, DLSU goalkeeper Jessica Pido defended the Green and White’s post with calculated blocks on both Ateneans’ attempts.
With pressure looming on the Lady Booters’ side of the pitch, the Lasallians attained possession to bring the ball in the Blue Eagles’ box. In the 25th minute, Casals protected her post after denying an overhead shot. DLSU forward Lourdes Layacan then challenged the Blue and White backline with a shot at the 27th minute, only to get caught once more by Casals.
In the same minute, the AWFT orchestrated a smooth sequence of ball connections throughout the pitch, opening a chance for Bicierro from the right flank. As the Lady Booters’ backline scrambled to contain Bicierro, the Blue Eagle provided a short pass to Salazar, who eventually scored Ateneo’s first goal of the match, 1-0.
Both teams then traded minutes on the ball, highlighted by Salazar’s run towards DLSU’s goalpost deemed offside. Casals subsequently restricted La Salle’s Layacan from gaining access to Ateneo’s goalpost in the 38th and 40th minutes, ultimately keeping the advantage in favor of the Blue and White. With added minutes on the clock, the Blue Eagles tamed the Lady Booters for the rest of the half, thus maintaining their lead intact at 1-0.
The Blue Eagles held their first-half lead with grit as the Lady Booters hoped to equalize. In the 46th minute, Ateneo’s left flank was torn through by Jodie Banzon who linked with Layacan inside the box, but her shot curled inches above the crossbar.
With composure, the recovering Tootchie Eval then snuffed out Aliexa Casi’s chance to reignite the attack from the same side, handing a perfectly timed clearance for the Katipunan-based unit in the 56th minute.
Despite their opponent’s attempts, Ateneo refused to retreat as the Bicierro-Salazar duo tested DLSU’s backline with surging runs, forcing goalkeeper Pido into early action. Bicierro capitalized on a loose ball in the midfield, only to fire over the bar in the 51st minute. Salazar responded shortly after, sprinting deep into La Salle’s third before being denied by Maegan Alforque who eyed to clear the danger.
The Taft-based crew dictated ball control, yet struggled to pass through the Katipunan defensive unit. Casi eyed an equalizer for DLSU, sprinting unmarked in Ateneo’s wide-open left flank, but misfired.
The Lady Booters’ chance came in the 66th minute, when striker Chenny Dañoso fired before Casals reacted sharply to deflect the shot and preserve the Blue Eagles’ lead. Minutes later, the Ateneo keeper recovered just in time after Alforque’s low drive slipped narrowly between her legs.
Despite bruising exchanges in the 76th minute, the Blue and White still pushed forward as Zalamea and Alferez nearly doubled the lead off a 79th-minute corner that skimmed right above the bar.
Still, the Green and White only pressed higher in the dying ticks for an equalizer. In the 89th minute, a Dañoso-Tanjangco attack came surging to the net, but Casals smothered the ball to extinguish the hopes for the Lady Booters. Despite four minutes of stoppage time added, Ateneo only used the remaining minutes to deflect the final waves of DLSU’s attacks, finishing the match, 1-0.
The Blue Eagles’ final game for the second elimination round will be against defending champions Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws on Saturday, November 8, at 4:00 PM in the same venue.
Starting XI:
Ateneo (1): Casals (GK), Zalamea (C), Schroth, Tolentino, Alferez, Salazar, Napoles, Halili, Bicierro, Eval, Francisco
DLSU (0): Pido (GK), Goñe (C), Soon, Banzon, Layacan, Lubiano, Tanjangco, Alforque, Buebos, Santiago, Dañoso
Standings – Points (Goal Difference):
- FEU Lady Tamaraws – 15 (+12)
- DLSU Lady Booters – 12 (+4)
- ATENEO Blue Eagles – 11 (-2)
- UST Lady Booters – 5 (-3)
- UP Fighting Maroons – 0 (-11)
