Lady Booters Capture
Championship Crown
Andrew Dysangco
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EXCITING…a word that best
describes the women’s soccer finals. Even
though the women’s game in general is not as
fast paced as the men’s, this one was an
exception. After being ranked third in last
year’s contest, the lady booters went into the
competition with one aim, to gun down the elusive
trophy. Their perseverance led them to the
championships and swept football giants CAFA to
claim the diadem, two games to nil. The Science women’s
team went into the Finals with CAFA having the
advantage of being twice to beat. The first game
was a do-or-die situation for the Science players
but Agatha Saquing, guarded by Rica Cruz,
on the right side of the mid-field controlled the
ball and out-dribbled her opponent and passed it
forward to Mae Abadilla. Abadilla quickly kicked
it to the center and with instinctive action, Marissa Pegtuan chased the ball leaving
CAFA’s fullbacks behind, hit it and sent the
ball to the right post while the goalkeeper went
to the left. The 35th minute-goal made
by Science against CAFA for the year. Science was
able to keep the ball on CAFA’s side of the
field for most of the remaining time, to win the
first game and go to the second game with high
morale and esteem.
The kick-off of
the do-or-die championship game started with the
ball in Science’s possession. There was a
seesaw of possession with both sides having no
luck, finding the back of the net. Both the teams
had missed opportunities. A beautiful pass from Ethel Cuevas to the penalty area
where Pegtuan was waiting. She kicked the ball
but the ball went over the crossbar, missing what
could have been her sixth goal of the tourney.
CAFA returned the favor on the 45th
minute when their agility caused the Science
fullbacks to panic with a sudden pass to the
center. One Atelier was left free for a clear
shot at the goal but on the nick of time, Sparkle Martinez was able to block the
shot and send the ball to the sideline. The game
ended in a nil-nil draw and a shootout to
determine the champion.
Science and CAFA
alternated in challenging the opposing
team’s goalkeeper. The goalkeeper from
Science is Nicole Navarro, a greenhorn, who just
started playing football last July. The
goalkeeper of CAFA is more experienced, having
had some training in the University’s
Varsity team. Chosa de la Cruz, a defensive
player from the Science’s roster kicked the
ball to the right post with speed and finesse
that beats the CAFA goalkeeper as she dived for
the ball. After two more players, CAFA levels the
score. Science’s last player is their team
captain, Jen Agleron. Agleron booted the ball
high and to the left corner of the crossbar,
giving the goalkeeper no chance to reach the ball
to go one goal up. CAFA’s final hope to
equalize was on San Chua-Tak but she mishit the
ball and sent it wide off the right post. Science
captures the champioship with a score of 2-1.
The other
members of the team are Irene Alejandrino,
Christine Camaya, Dorothy Fronteras, Princesita
Marcelo, Lalaine Naing, Minerva Pagdonzolan, Kate
Policarpio, April Relucio, Michelle Salomon and
Marilen Yap.
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