THE ATENEO Lady Eagles won over defending champions University of the Philippines (UP) Lady Maroons, 1-0, on Saturday, February 11 at the Rizal Memorial Stadium in Manila.
Their opening game victory takes the Ateneo record to three points with one win, no loss, and no draws, with a goal difference of +1 in the standings of the University Athletics Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Women’s Football tournament.
Lady Eagle Nona Amoncio scored the only goal of the match in the 4th minute. The winger struck a direct free kick from distance that sailed over UP goalkeeper Nicole Adlawan and into the back of the net.
From that point on, the Blue and White fought tooth and nail to keep their lead they employed team blocking to keep the Maroons from scoring.
Midfielder Baci Herrera was subbed out in the 18th minute due to bothersome knee injury, giving way for freshman Nica Siy to make her UAAP debut.
Despite a physical end to the first half highlighted by a clashing of heads between Ateneo winger Mia Catedrilla and UP’s Claudia Mendoza, the Blue and White were able to sustain their lead heading into halftime.
In the second half, the Lady Maroons continued to press high and plow forward in search of an equalizer. UP ace striker Christina Delos Reyes was able to get two clean shots on goal, but both attempts were met by Ateneo goalkeeper Mariane Caparros.
Injuries again hampered the Lady Eagles as center back defender Mica Corrales paved the way for Ysa Ramos’ UAAP debut in the 62nd minute, while left back Annika Ong made way for striker Tessa Bernardo. This forced midfielder Bea Velasco to slot into central defense alongside Isay Sabio.
Bernardo came close to icing the match in the 90th minute. The substitute’s one-to-one chance with Adlawan saw the ball slip over the UP keeper towards the goal. However, the UP defenders were able to recover and clear the ball.
Ateneo Starting XI: Ateneo XI: Caparros (GK), Ong, Corrales, Sabio, J. Catedrilla, Velasco, Diaz, Herrera, M. Catedrilla, Amoncio, Rodriguez (c)
UP Starting XI: Adlawan (GK), Alleje, Augustin, Delos Reyes (c), Dungca, E. Fagsao, Malmis, Mendoza, Ruiz, Sta. Clara, Yalong
Editor’s note: Nona Amoncio is a Graphic Design Staffer of The GUIDON.
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