By: Nicole Parallag
Despite missing three players due to suspension, Far Eastern University dug deep to earn a 1-0 victory over the University of Santo Tomas in the UAAP Season 89 Collegiate Women’s Football Tournament on Wednesday at the UP Diliman Football Stadium in Quezon City.
Starting goalkeeper Blaine Barredo, Kyza Colina, and Kristine Dela Peña were all serving a one-game suspension after being sent off against University of the Philippines last Sunday.
Instead, the Lady Tamaraws leaned on Julia Sacmar’s goal and rookie goalkeeper Mikah Ranain to escape with the win.
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
Sacmar broke the deadlock in the 36th minute, capitalizing on an opportunity inside the box to put FEU ahead. It was the 20-year-old forward’s third goal of the season, making her the league’s leading scorer so far.
Meanwhile, Ranain made her debut as FEU’s starting goalkeeper and recorded her first clean sheet in the UAAP in place of the suspended Barredo.
FEU remained atop the standings with nine points, level with De La Salle University but ahead on goal difference, with a plus-10 compared to the Lady Booters’ plus-six.
“Medyo nag-struggle once na nag-sub na ng players, especially positioning. Polishing lang sa movements and plays and yung adjustment namin, especially this game. Konting pats on their shoulder, I’m still satisfied with the game because they did their best,” FEU head coach Let Dimzon stated.
Now on a 16-game winning streak and a 34-game unbeaten run, FEU will look to extend its impressive stretch when it faces Ateneo de Manila University in the opening game of Saturday’s triple-header at 2:00 PM.
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
On the other hand, UST struggled to find a breakthrough as missed chances kept the Lady Booters off the scoresheet.
Gleydille Añonuevo came close to putting UST ahead in the 14th minute, but Ranain was quick to make the save. Joyce Gemberva had another chance to level the score in the 81st minute following a free kick, but her effort sailed over the bar.
UST suffered its second loss of the season after also falling to Ateneo in its opening match. The Lady Booters will look to bounce back when they face La Salle at 4:30 PM.
