The defending champions were simply a class above their archrivals.
In what was their first outing in the UAAP Season 81 Women’s Football Tournament, the De La Salle University Lady Archers outclassed the Ateneo de Manila University Lady Eagles, 3-0, at the Circulo Verde field in Quezon City.
The Taft school were simply irresistible throughout the contest. They almost broke the deadlock in the 23rd minute, only for skipper Kyra Dimaandal’s effort to be ruled offside. However, Ateneo failed to heed the warning and conceded twice before the break.
Lady Archers rookies Shai del Campo and Rocelle Mendano scored in the 36th and 40th minutes respectively, to hand La Salle a decisive lead over Ateneo. Del Campo first scored past Lady Eagles goalie Marianne Caparros in open play. Mendano then found the back of the net courtesy of a penalty, which was awarded due to handball.
“(The rookies) performed as expected. I asked the coaching staff (and) we are not looking otherwise. We expected them to play that way,” said La Salle coach Hans-Peter Smit. “(But) they haven’t yet played to their potential. (There were) too many missed opportunities.”
Come the second half, Dimaandal finally tallied a goal in the 67th minute when she headed the ball past Caparros for the icing on the cake. It was simply the perfect start for the Lasallians’ three-peat bid.
La Salle (3 points) continue their campaign with a rematch of last year’s finals, against the University of Santo Tomas on March 9, 2019, 1:00 PM. On the other hand, Ateneo also play against UST but on March 16, 2019, 3:00 PM. Circulo Verde will host both games.
The Startlist:
DLSU XI: Castaneda, Concepcion, Del Campo, Delos Reyes, Dimaandal (C), Hodges, Lacson (GK), Mendano, Montelibano, Navaja, Tejada.
ADMU XI: Almeda, Bautista, Bugayong, Cabrera, Calimbo, Caparros (GK, C), Catedrilla, Cotoco, Diaz, Ferrer, Naguiat.
