Defending champion Far Eastern University started its title defense by edging out University of Santo Tomas, 1-0, in the UAAP Season 86 Women’s Football Tournament on Saturday at the UP Diliman Football Stadium.
Angel Egay, who came from Catalino Soliguen National High School, headed home the winner just eight minutes into the contest off a cross from teammate Janly Fontamillas.
Unfortunately for the Lady Tamaraws, they failed to add to their tally despite multiple attempts to do so throughout the match.
Sarahgen Tulabing, Katrina Magbitang, and Dionesa Tolentin – who was part of the Filipinas team that competed in the 2024 Pinatar Cup – had their sniffs at goal but none of them found the back of the net.
Coach Let Dimzon felt frustrated that her players failed to find that killer instinct in front of goal against the Lady Booters.
The former national team mentor stated that she hoped that it was a case of first-game jitters for the Lady Tamaraws.
“Last season, ayun yung naging problem namin: yung finishing sa harap,” said Dimzon.
“We always work on finishing pero, in the end, ayun pa rin yung nagiging problem. I think may mental lapses ng players kapag nararamdaman nila yung pressure o pagod,” the decorated head coach continued.
With the win, the Lady Tamaraws rose to third place in the standings with three points and a plus-1 goal difference.
Meanwhile, the two teams above them – the DLSU Lady Booters and UP Fighting Maroons – are facing off as of publishing.
FEU will go for win number two against Ateneo de Manila University this Saturday at 6:30 PM at the same venue.
“Na-apply naman ng players yung system namin, yung attacking play. Unlucky lang talaga na hindi namin ma-capitalize lahat ng chances,” Dimzon revalled.
“But again, it’s a good show-up from the players dahil lumalaban pa rin kahit na lamang kami and marami pa rin chances sa harapan. Pinu-push pa rin talaga nila maka-score.”
On the other hand, the Lady Booters fell to fourth place in the standings with zero points and a minus-2 goal difference.
UST will try to end its two-game skid against La Salle this Saturday at 4:00 PM on the same pitch.
UST XI: Garcia, Gerona, Sy, Bennett (C), Logasta, Ramos, Añonuevo, Pinili, Quiman, Fernandez, Santerva.
FEU XI: Elauria, Rebosura, Tolentin, Fontamillas, Altiche, Cuenco, Magbitang, Doctora, Albiño, Tulabing, Egay.
