Defending UAAP women’s football champions De La Salle University stunned PFF national champions Far Eastern University (FEU) in frenetic fashion, 3-2, to cap the Lady Archers’ first round on a winning note.
The speedy Lady Archers torched the Lady Tamaraws with three searing goals in the second half to upset the erstwhile undefeated squad.
Diminutive striker Maria Layacan opened La Salle’s account with a twenty-yard run against three FEU defenders and past goalkeeper Khryss Dacanay to slow roll the first goal in the 51st minute.
Six minutes later, central midfielder Jonela Albiño leveled with a strike from center box off a loose ball.
Substitute striker Mikaela Villacin, who entered the game after Albiño’s goal, had a similar running attack for goal in the 64th minute, this time coming from the left flank.
Fired up, La Salle scored a third goal in the 69th minute off a volleying free kick from Arantxa Trebol from left midfield that went past the fingertips of Dacanay.
With seven minutes of added time in the second half, season co-leading scorer Regine Rebosura struck in the third minute from center box to trim the lead, 2-3.
Fellow Tamaraw forward Dionesa Tolentin tried to create a play to tie the score but her buildup attempt from the left flank was stymied by national team wing back Rocelle Mendaño, hammering the final nail on the Tamaraws’ coffin.
“I just don’t want back-to-back,” said La Salle head coach Hans-Peter Smit, referring to their win against FEU and Ateneo. “I want all [games] till the finals to win.”
“We are a work in progress. Two wins do not mean anything. To win all, that is the thing, that’s what we’re after,” he explained.
Despite the loss, the Lady Tamaraws still lead the season with three wins and one loss while the Lady Archers are still stuck at fourth place with two wins and two losses.
In the first game, the University of Santo Tomas likewise ended its first round with a win, blanking winless Ateneo de Manila University.
Diminutive striker Nathalie Absalon scored a brace—all goaled in the first minute of both halves—to stun the hapless Lady Eagles.
“Masaya ako kasi nag step-up si Nathalie. I really need someone who can score from my team. Yun yung lacking namin based on yung performances nila sa previous games nila na wala kaming scorer,” praised UST coach Aging Rubio.
Despite the win, Rubio, however, lamented about the game officiating.
“Hindi ako natutuwa how the officials manage the game. Sobrang we could have scored more kung di lang sa tawag ng mga referees,” she explained.
“Kailangan talaga nilang i-check ang officiating, sobrang lala. Every game na lang may reklamo ang coaches; not even the coaches, even the spectators maraming nasasabi,” she explained.
The win brought UST and the University of the Philippines to a tie with two wins, one draw, and one loss, but the Lady Maroons hold a +2 goal difference over UST for second place.
Ateneo is still searching for a win after four lost games.
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