THE UST Lady Booters bowed down to the UP Fighting Maroons, 1-0, in their UAAP Season 86 women’s football tournament opener at the UP Diliman Football Stadium on Saturday, Feb. 24.
Anya Fuentes took advantage of UST’s defense and scored the lone goal of the match in the 22nd minute.
UST had multiple chances to equalize, but UP’s defensive frontline prevented the attempts of Lady Booters Bianca Sy and Gleydile Anonuevo, while Jearfelyn Ramos’s penalty kick was blocked by Frances Acelo.
In the second half, Anonuevo and Lovely Fernandez missed potential game-tying attempts.
“Ang nakikita ko talaga na need for improvement is ‘yung finishing ng mga attacking players natin,” UST head coach Aging Rubio told the Varsitarian. “Aside from the finishing, sana magkaroon sila ng creativity and how to handle the ball in front of the goal.”
Lady Booters goalkeeper Lizlie Garcia was rushed to the UST Hospital after a hard collision during a Fuentes attempt in the second half.
The Lady Booters will next face the reigning champions FEU Lady Tamaraws at the same venue on March 2, Saturday, at 4 p.m.
