Photo: UAAP Media Team
The DLSU Lady Booters came up short against the defending champions FEU Lady Tamaraws, 2-1, in Round Two of the UAAP Season 88 Women’s Football Tournament on November 5 at the UP Diliman Football Pitch. The defeat denied La Salle an early return to the finals as they once again bowed to their Morayta counterparts.
FEU’s Marienell Cristobal struck twice in the first half, scoring in the 7th and 27th minutes to put the Tamaraws ahead. Team captain Steph Goñe pulled one back for La Salle deep into stoppage time at the 90+1’ mark, but it wasn’t enough to force an equalizer.
La Salle started aggressively, pressing high and testing FEU’s backline early. Mikaela Villacin came close to opening the scoring with a low drive that rolled just wide of the post. The Lady Tamaraws responded quickly as Cristobal capitalized on a long ball to break the deadlock in the seventh minute.
The Lady Booters looked to settle through their wings, with Villacin and Mari Layacan combining for multiple attacking chances. However, Cristobal doubled FEU’s advantage midway through the first half with a long-range strike that slipped past goalkeeper Jessica Pido.
The Taft-based side tried to get back into the match before halftime, with Chenny Dañoso and Jodie Banzon forcing saves from FEU keeper Jessa Lehayan. In the second half, La Salle tightened its build-up play and relied on overlapping runs from fullbacks Goñe and Micha Santiago to stretch the defense.
Mari Layacan nearly halved the deficit at the 70th minute with a header from a free kick that went just wide, while Pido produced a big stop on Cristobal at the other end to prevent a third FEU goal.
With time running out, the Lady Booters pushed forward relentlessly. Dañoso had a late attempt off a corner before Goñe finally converted a rebound in stoppage time to make it 2-1.
Despite the late spark, La Salle ran out of time to complete the comeback. The loss dropped the Lady Booters to their third defeat of the season, but they remain in contention for a finals berth. They will try to bounce back when they face the UST Golden Tigresses on Saturday, November 8, at 6:30 p.m. at the same venue.
