IN A tale of two halves, the Ateneo Women’s Football Team (AWFT) tied with the University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons, 2-2, in their Ang Liga Filipina Invitational season debut. The opening contest took place earlier today, June 20, at the UP Diliman Football Stadium in Quezon City.
Spearheading the Blue Eagles in the effort was Jada Bicierro, who was Ateneo’s sole scorer, tallying two goals in the first half.
The Blue Eagles came out aggressive at the onset of the match, hounding the Fighting Maroons’ attackers and forcing a flurry of possession changes. This press-heavy defensive strategy paid dividends for the Blue and White, allowing for a breakaway goal for Bicierro at the 15th minute, 1-0. Looking to further establish their hold on the lead, Ateneo remained in attack mode, turning defensive interceptions into outlet passes and attempts on the offensive end.
Bicierro then added on to her early game heroics, splitting two defenders and tapping in the ball into the right corner for her second goal in the 32nd minute, 2-0. Despite multiple opportunities for the Fighting Maroons to score, the Blue Eagles maintained their two-goal advantage with great receptions from the wing to end the first half.
The second half of the contest painted an opposite picture from the first, as the sudden downpour of rain flipped the dynamic of both squads. Ateneo began the half sluggishly, as errant passes and miscommunication hurt their chances of capturing another goal. Meanwhile, UP became the aggressors, securing a penalty goal after Raya Tolentino committed a foul in the 54th minute, 1-2.
The final stretch of the match for the Blue Eagles was defined by goalkeeper Chelssy Casals, who executed flawless saves in the 84th and 88th minutes of the game, keeping her squad’s 2-1 advantage. However, another untimely foul would be AWFT’s undoing, as Patty Francisco’s violation led to another penalty in the 90th and final minute of the contest, 2-2.
Aiming to bag their first victory, the AWFT will face the Omni SS Football Club next Saturday, July 26, at 1:00 PM in the Ateneo Moro Lorenzo Field.
