AFTER A one-month hiatus, the Ateneo Women’s Football Team (AWFT) made their return to University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) action with a 1-1 draw against the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Golden Tigresses on Wednesday, April 24, at the Circulo Verde Pitch in Quezon City.
Both teams took their time to shake off the rust from the long hiatus with languid play in the opening minutes. But by the 7th minute, the España-based squad created their first chance of the match. A dangerous cross freed up Mary Indac inside the box, but starting goalkeeper and Ateneo Team Captain Marianne Caparros came up big with a deft save to keep the UST at bay.
[First Half]
7’ – UST punctures the Ateneo defense with a pinpoint cross, but Caparros denies them of their opening goal with a deft save!#UAAPFootball
Ateneo 0 UST 0 pic.twitter.com/QNXQkhkW67
— Kirby G. Jalandoni (@Kirby_TheGUIDON) April 24, 2019
Four minutes later, a right-footed effort by Maddy Cotoco drifted wide after the Lady Eagle found space inside the box.
[First Half]
7’ – UST punctures the Ateneo defense with a pinpoint cross, but Caparros denies them of their opening goal with a deft save!#UAAPFootball
Ateneo 0 UST 0 pic.twitter.com/QNXQkhkW67
— Kirby G. Jalandoni (@Kirby_TheGUIDON) April 24, 2019
The Lady Eagles finally opened the scoreline in the 30th minute, courtesy of Pam Diaz. The Katipunan-based side executed an almost flawless counter but Paulina Naguiat could not overpower UST defender Toni Panes who managed to get a foot on it. Panes took one touch too many, however, resulting in an error pounced on by Naguiat. The ensuing scramble inside the box left the goal gaping for Pam Diaz to slot home.
31’ – GOAL! Naguiat pounces on an error at the back, forcing the keeper off her line and a scramble inside the box. Diaz capitalizes on the chaos to score the opening goal! #UAAPFootball
Ateneo 1 UST 0 pic.twitter.com/AGTJTHLqQG
— Kirby G. Jalandoni (@Kirby_TheGUIDON) April 24, 2019
Despite trailing for most of the match, the Golden Tigresses were able to pull level in the clutch through Hazel Lustan. She capitalized on a shambolic Ateneo defense following a dead-ball situation in the 86th minute, salvaging a point for UST at the death.
This draw leaves Ateneo with a 1-1-3 record, advancing to fourth in the standings, while UST now has a 2-2-1 record–good for second place. The AWFT look to avenge their first-round defeat against the Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws in their next match on Wednesday, May 1, 2019 at the Circulo Verde Pitch, Quezon City.
Starting XIs:
Ateneo: Adao, Almeda B., Almeda J., Bugayong, Cabrera, Calimbo, Caparros (C, GK), Cotoco, De Luna, Diaz, Naguiat
UST: Cadag, Durano, Espiritu, Indac, Jihad, Lopez, Lubangco, Lustan (C), Panes, Reyes (GK)
Substitutions:
61’ – Panganiban on for Almeda B.
77’ – Ferrer on for Bugayong
87’ – Roxas on for De Luna
