DLSU Lady Booters bounce back with win over UP Fighting Lady Maroons

The De La Salle University Lady Booters defeated the University of the Philippines Fighting Lady Maroons, 1-0, on Wednesday at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium.

In the first few minutes after kickoff, dominant performances from both La Salle and UP were on display. A corner kick was given to UP’s Bling Perez but luckily, our very own Nicole Andaya headed the ball away. Numerous attempts from skipper Kyra Dimaandal and the rest of the La Salle squad were fired but none could get pass UP’s tough defense. There were a number of close calls for La Salle. Fortunately, the great wall of Tashka Lacson was there. On the 45th+2 minute, Lady Maroon Cristina Delos Reyes received the ball and dribbled swiftly past La Salle’s defense. It was a one-on-one against the keeper. She took the shot but it went straight to Lacson. Seconds later, a Lady Maroon fired another ball to the goal, but La Salle’s defense was impenetrable. The first half ended with tired girls and null scores.

During half time, head coach Hans Smit had the team sit down for a meeting. Dimaandal shared that he told them they weren’t playing to their standards.

“Coach was telling us that we weren’t playing the way we should. He pointed out our mistakes and how bad we played, made us realize we could do more.”

The Lady Booters adjusted themselves and made the second half more fruitful for La Salle. A goal was bound to come as La Salle was presented with bountiful opportunities in front of UP’s goal. In the 56th minute, the ball was just inches away from the line but was miraculously saved by a Lady Maroon. However, Shannon Arthur served as the saving grace when she saw an opening from the outside. She scored a goal at 59’ to put La Salle on the scoreboard, 1-0.

Within ten minutes after Arthur’s goal, UP had attempted thrice but to no avail. First, De los Reyes nearly tied the game with a great shot that missed Lacson’s hands. Unluckily for the Diliman-based squad, it hit the woodwork and bounced right back into the field. Bling Perez also tried to shoot but Lacson just would not have it. Finally, a shot from Ikeesha Aquino lobbed straight to Lacson’s gloves as she demonstrated how the Lady Booters do defense.

Nearing the end of the match, several possessions were exchanged but the Lady Maroons seemed to have burned up their fuel. The Lady Booters walked away with the victory, 1-0.

With this win, Dimaandal said that team are currently pushing themselves to get the victory.

“Puso lang. We’re in difficult positions because of injuries and such, but the team always had the heart to play.”

The DLSU Lady Booters bounced back and improved to 5W-0D-2L. They will face the 3W-3D-1L FEU on Saturday, 9 AM at the same venue.

 

DLSU Lady Booters assert mastery over arch-rivals Ateneo Lady Eagles

The De La Salle University Lady Booters came victorious against arch-rivals Ateneo De Manila University Lady Eagles, 1-0, in the UAAP Season 80 Women’s Football Tournament on Saturday at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium.

At the start of the game, La Salle and Ateneo were aggressive against each other. Lady Booter Kyla Inquig had an opportunity to get her team ahead after being rewarded a free kick at the 13th mark of the match. However, she could not convert.

It was a defensive mindset for both teams through the rest of the first half as neither teams could pinch a goal. It was a 0-0 affair at the end of first half.

In the second half, though, the Taft-based squad found a way to get themselves on board as Kyra Dimaandal saw an opening, took it, and made it. Her team went ahead, 1-0, at the 58th minute.

Ateneo tried to equalize in the remaining minutes of the game. However, La Salle’s defense said otherwise as the Lady Booters did not let the Lady Eagles to find the end of the net.

The former went on to win the game, 1-0.

Virtually, following this win, La Salle has taken out Ateneo from Finals contention.

The DLSU Lady Booters started the second round of the season with a win against arch-rivals Ateneo. They look to go all-out on Saturday as they hope to stretch their winning streak when they face UST in the same venue.

DLSU Lady Booters come victorious against archrival ADMU

The De La Salle University Lady Booters overcome archrival Ateneo De Manila University Lady Eagles, 1-0, in the UAAP Season 80 Women’s Football Tournament, yesterday at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium.

La Salle and Ateneo were head-to-head offensively and defensively in the first few minutes of the game, but neither of them could pinch in a goal.

In the 37th mark of the game, La Salle was given a chance to get ahead of off a penalty kick. Lady Booter Nina Arrieta was able to convert but suffered injury after giving La Salle the lead, 1-0.

Lady Booters’ goalkeeper Tashka Lacson went full-guard on saving the ball from the aggressive Ateneo Lady Eagles as they tried to equalize, but they could not convert.

The Lady Booters sealed the game over Ateneo, 1-0.

DLSU Lady Booters ended their first round of the season with second straight victory and will try to strengthen their defense and offense as they will go to defend their back-to-back title.

Lady Booters trounce FEU

The DLSU Lady Booters triumphed against the FEU Lady Tamaraws, 1-0, in the UAAP Season 80 Women’s Football tournament, Saturday, at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium.

The Lady Booters started off aggressive, getting two corners a minute into the match. Things got heated in the 18th minute resulting to FEU’s Jean Kadil being booked for a yellow card.

The two sides exchanged chances but DLSU Goalkeeper Tashka Lacson was able to hold the fort down for the Green and White.

Four minutes into the second half, Nicole Andaya scored a header, giving the Taft-based squad the lead, 1-0. Lacson kept up her performance between the posts while DLSU’s attacking third kept pushing the ball but failed to convert.

The Morayta-based squad had an open chance in the 62-minute mark but hit the crossbar to the relief of the DLSU number one.

DLSU Lady Booters bow to UST Tigresses, get streak snapped

The De La Salle University Lady Booters went on their second game of the season and fell to the University of Santo Tomas Tigresses, 0-1, in the UAAP Season 80 Women’s Football Tournament at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium, earlier today.

DLSU’s goalie, Lacson, went full-guard on saves as the opposing team tried to kick-off with a series of goal attempts.

In the second half, DLSU had a chance to score for a penalty kick but was denied by the Tigresses on the 59th-minute mark. Topped with another free kick denied from Sharon Arthur at the 67th minute.

The Lady Tigresses were able to pierce in a goal in the 73rd minute of the match to break the defending champion’s winning streak.

The DLSU Lady Booters will face the FEU Lady Tamaraws on February 17, Saturday, 9 AM at the same venue.

DLSU Lady Booters are ready to kick it up a notch; aims back-to-back title

The UAAP Season 79 women’s football champions DLSU Lady Booters aim to defend the title as it returns for another action-packed tournament in the 80th season of the UAAP. The Queens of the pitch were able to bring the crown back to Taft when it defeated University of Santo Tomas (UST) in the finals series last season. It marked the comeback of the La Salle team into the golden platform after seven years of not making it to the top. This year, all eyes are on the Taft crew as the team tries to go for a back-to-back title.

Champion’s changes

Expect the defending champions to bring something to the table when they set their feet on the soccer field. Team captain Kyra Dimaandal said that the team will be mixing it up and will leave the spectators in shock with the big changes they will be making.

“We are trying to play in a tougher way, since this time around we have something more than the school to defend—we have the title,” Dimaandal said.

She also added that the team will definitely be playing differently.

The journey surely will not be easy as the soccer squad bid farewell to six of its key players in Erika Turtur, Angge Metillo, Toni Nolasco, Meryll Ledesma, Dea Ferrer, and Philippine Women’s National Football team member namely goalkeeper Inna Palacios. Losing six of its players from last season left a huge hole for the Green and White crew but Dimaandal stays hopeful as she sees how the team is able to recover and develop with the addition of three new members namely Bea Delos Reyes, Carmen Castellanos, and Anicka Castaneda.

Weight on their shoulder

Pressure will always be upon any team that are defending champions and Dimaandal acknowledges it. “There will always be pressure. Saying none would be a big lie. It’s more of a motivator than a mind rattler. We’re always reminding ourselves that teams are training to beat us because we’re the title holder.” she said.

Despite the pressure, the Lady Booters will not let it get in their way as their eyes are already set on one thing — keep the title in Taft.

Gold is the Goal

When asked how prepared the team is to defend the trophy, Dimaandal was quick to answer, “We’re always ready to play for DLSU and the pride of the people. We will always give our 101%. Last season, most of us played with injuries. This time, we’ll try to stay fit and give more.”

Aside from battling their hearts out inside the grassy pitch, the Lady Booters asks for additional firepower not just from each member of the team but also to their supporters to cheer them out.

“Our crown is your crown. Help us defend our crown by cheering for us. Your shouts and cheers are always huge motivators. It reminds us not to put our heads down in hard times,” the team captain said.

The Lady Booters will first see action on February 10, 2018 at the newly built PFF Field in Rizal Memorial Football Stadium as they go head-to-head with UP at 3PM.

Arthur, Lady Booters overcome UP to start title defense

The De La Salle University Lady Booters started their title defense with a come-from-behind victory over the University of the Philippines Lady Maroons, 3-1, in the UAAP Season 80 Women’s Football Tournament at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium. earlier today.

Shannon Arthur, who came back from a year off because of an ACL injury, scored a brace in the 60th and 90th-minute marks, while Chelo Hodges pierced in a goal in the 35th minute.

The Lady Maroons surprised the Green side early in the match as Red Sajonia blasted a cross in the 23rd minute to give UP the 1-0 lead.

With their backs against the wall, DLSU quickly erased the deficit with substitute Hodges pinching in the equalizer off another cross from Kyla Inquig in the 35th-minute mark.

La Salle did not look back as Arthur netted a free kick via a long volley to put the Lady Booters up, 2-1, in the 60th minute.

Arthur sealed in the dagger in the 90th-minute mark, unleashing another long-range boomer on the way to victory.

Support the Lady Booters as they face the University of Santo Tomas Golden Tigresses on February 14, Wednesday, 9 AM at the same venue.

 

 

 

 

Keeper’s Corner: Inna Kristianne Palacios

Heroes come and go, but LEGENDS STAY FOREVER.

Five fruitful years. From cellar dweller to UAAP Champion! Inna Palacios went through struggles in the early stages of her UAAP career, but her hardwork and dedication finally paid off. There could not have been a better ending than this. 4-time best goalkeeper, team captain, final goal scorer for the season. Inna dedicated her successes to all her coaches, teammates, and the entire Lasallian community who have supported her since day one.

“All these awards are for him (Coach Lolong). He has been my constant goalkeeping coach. Coach Hans, he’s always been there. But (it really is) Coach Lolong. Si Haya, Deyto, me, lahat kami produkto niya.” She also commended her backup keeper, Erika Turtur. “Si Tur, she’s an excellent keeper.”

Discovering Football

Palacios started as a curious little third-grader who wanted to play around. According to her, someone just entered their room looking for kids who wanted to play football. It was love at first try. She also admitted that it was not her first sport.

“Someone went to our room and asked who wants to play. As a kid, I wanted to go out and play. I wanted something to do after school, I didn’t know it was for the varsity team na pala.” Inna said, “I stopped my taekwondo and I just played football. I just fell in love with the sport and then I never left.”

Palacios only thought of football as for leisure. However, she was given a break during her high school years after she was selected for the youth national team. As she matured as a player, she was given her first cap for the Philippines. Since then, she has been a mainstay of the national team and continues to play for the Malditas.

“I started playing for the youth team when I was in first year high school, the U16. I was 13.” She had her first cap for the Philippines in 2009. “I just kept playing with the U16, U19 until my first year of college, but I was already part of the Malditas or the senior team when I was still in 4th year high school.”

It is never easy playing for flag and country. Being part of the national team helped her in her approach to the game. She also added that these experiences helped her become a better person.

“It also gave me a lot of confidence to do the things that I thought I can never do. I kept going, I kept wanting to improve so the passion was really there, it is the passion really kept me going.”

Where to go?

La Salle or Ateneo? That was the question. She has been raised by a family who are alumni of La Salle, but Palacios initially wanted Ateneo.

“I was checking the Big Four. I went down to Ateneo and La Salle then I really wanted to play in Ateneo because I grew up there and it’s the school I want to be in.” she added, “They were telling me ‘oh go to La Salle because it’s different, the circle when you graduate is really good’ and La Salle for them is La salle and there’s nowhere else to go.”

It was not an easy decision for Palacios as being part of the Lasallian community was new ground for her. After careful deliberation, she decided to take a double degree in DLSU, giving her the chance to play for the green and white for five great years.

“I didn’t want that, I didn’t want to be forced into something. But later I realized that ‘oh maybe I could take a double major from La Salle instead of taking a four-year course then masters. I don’t even know if I’m gonna finish masters’.” Palacios also said, “I called up my dad and said ‘I’m going to La Salle na, I’ll take double major for 5 years. I think it’s a good deal for me, plus the offers were good.’. “

From Striker to Goalkeeper

It is nerve-wracking for a striker going full speed towards the goal knowing that a top notch goalkeeper is always there, ready to block your shot. Same goes for a goalkeeper trying to block a shot from a top-notch striker. Inna has had the experience of both. For her, goalkeeping is an art. From composing herself to deflecting and catching opponents’ attempts, Inna found art in it.

“I used to be a striker(or like a winger). I love the feeling of scoring. When I started playing full-time keeper, I found art in what we were doing like how we save the ball, how we dive, how we catch it. For me, it is the position that has to be most composed, you should have the most composure out of everyone.” She added, “It feels so much better when you stop a shot. First defender will always be the striker, but you’re the last one there, so wala ka nang magagawa.”

Middle Years

Palacios spent her rookie years adjusting to the La Salle system. It was an enjoyable season as she learned to love what she was doing and her seniors helped smoothen the transition. She considers her middle years to be a rebuilding process.

“My second year, we were dead last. My third year, we moved up a spot, so 4th out of 5. Last season, my fourth year, we thought we had it, but we just fell short.”

Season 78 Heartbreak

From being the 4th placed team to bridesmaids. Sweeping the season, Palacios and her team thought it would be a smooth ride to the championship. However, little did they know that it was not meant to be as they were frustrated by eventual champions, the UP Lady Fighting Maroons. The heartbreak served as motivation for Palacios and the Lady Booters for Season 79.

“It was such a nice process to experience because it made this year so much worth it, so much unique out of all the five years of experience.”

“Turning frustration into motivation.” This is what she considers as a key element for the next chapter of her UAAP career.

Coming Back for Season 79 and Her Final Game

Since entering La Salle, Palacios has always planned to play out all five years of eligibility. Everything flashed back as the referee blew his whistle to signal the end of the game, but not before Coach Hans’ prized goalkeeper scored her first(and last) goal of a colorful collegiate career.

“When the referee blew his whistle for a penalty, I didn’t even think.” she added, “It was a crucial penalty so I thought Sara would take it, but then I saw Sara was pointing at me and then I raised my hand. Coach also gave me a signal to go.”

THIS WAS HER CHANCE!

The usually cool, calm and collected captain admitted to having some nerves before attempting it.

“When I was taking the penalty, it took forever. I heard people chanting and I got scared. I was nervous. The keeper was moving towards the side I was gonna go to.”

Again, her nerves of steel prevailed. She sent the ball to the top right corner of the goal, out of the opposing keeper’s reach, and straight into the back of the net. As everyone enjoyed the moment, Palacios was the least shocked and she was extremely thankful for the opportunity.

“It was exactly the same shot I made yesterday. I did not expect it to be that good, but it went in.” She explained, “As a keeper, you thought that the only time I got to score is during a penalty shootout, after extra time. On regular time, it’s extremely rare. Just so thankful that coach gave it to me.”

After the game, emotions could be seen pouring out of the seniors. They were not emotional in the days leading up to the match, but it was after bagging the crown that all emotions went wild.

“After the whistle, everything just came out. We couldn’t hold our emotions. All the hard work, all the efforts, everyday training, your sweat, your injuries, it is just there.”

Message to the Young Football Players

Palacios believes that any athlete who explores their limits, breaks boundaries while staying humble can be successful. These are the qualities Palacios hopes the young players will embrace.

“Don’t be scared to explore your limits. Just keep fighting and keep improving. You don’t know what you can actually do until you do it. Besides everything, stay humble and don’t forget where you came from. Because those are the people who will help you get to where you are. Especially your coaches, family, and friends who have always been there.”

INNA KRISTIANNE PALACIOS, signing off from the UAAP.

Lady Booters sweep the season for Women’s Football title!

In what was supposed to be their defining moment in UAAP Season 78, the DLSU Lady Booters fell short in the Finals match against UP which happened to be their only loss in the season. This year, however, the Taft-based squad was able to complete the season sweep to emerge as the newly crowned Queens of Philippine Football after escaping the pesky UST Golden Tigresses, 3-1, May 7 at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.

It was a slow start for both teams with the Lady Booters banking on defense as the UST squad struck the field with offense coming in from Hazel Lustan and Charisa Lemoran. Luckily for the Taft-based squad, Inna Palacios maintained her composure and proved savvy on the goalkeeping duties for La Salle. In addition, Angge Metillo and Meryll Ledesma were able to keep up with the UST offense to deflect balls coming in from the wings.

The start of the second half saw offensive minutes for the Lady Booters as they tried to maximize Irish Navaja and Nicole Andaya to set up plays for Kyra Dimaandal and Kyla Inquig only for UST goalie Nicole Reyes to deny.

A beam of flashing lights came in the form of an unguarded Dimaandal in the 55th minute who broke the España defense on the second try to get La Salle the lead, 1-nil.

UST was able to lock down on the ball possession for the rest of the second half but the solid defensive core of La Salle proved rocksteady for the Golden Tigresses to overcome. At the 73rd minute, a scurrying Lustan seized the La Salle penalty box as Palacios was caught off-guard allowing UST to score and tie the match.

Heroic antics from Navaja came in at the dying minutes of the match as she got past the UST defenders from the left side to connect with super sophomore Sara Castañeda who converted the former’s pass.

It seemed as if the game was about to end at a 2-1 score when an error on the UST side gave a penalty opportunity for the Lady Booters, 90+3’. No more than captain Palacios was called up to the stand to finish off with her first and only point in her collegiate career, eventually giving La Salle the championship.

Included in this year’s Mythical XI are Palacios, Metillo, Castañeda, Navaja, Dimaandal and Dimple Tejada. The team also won the season’s Fair Play Award.

Palacios capped off her collegiate career with a Best Goalkeeper Award. The graduating Metillo received the plum for Best Defender. Meanwhile, scoring machines Castañeda and Dimaandal clinched the Best Midfielder and Best Striker Awards, respectively. Lastly, Inquig was named the season’s MVP.

The win punctuated an immaculate record for the Lady Booters this season as they went off to reclaim the title after a seven-year drought. “They’ve earned this championship. They worked hard for it. They’ve done quite impossible things to keep a clean record for the season,” said Head Coach Hans Smit.

Lady Booters overcome UST; one win away from championship!

Proving to be the best women’s football team in the UAAP Season 79, the Lady Booters completed an eliminations sweep after pulverizing the UST Golden Tigresses in convincing fashion, 3-1 at the Moro Lorenzo Field, April 23.

The Lady Booters went off on a rocky start as they saw a hungry España-based squad surge with offense. The Tigresses’ MJ Indac was able to get the best of Inna Palacios whose shot went past the national team goalkeeper at the 21st minute.

Continuing to be marvelous all season long, Kyra Dimaandal was able score after a pass from Nicole Andaya at the 36-minute mark to tie the game, 1-all.

A rejuvenated Taft-based squad entered the second half. The grit was back on for the Lady Booters after Nina Arrieta scored the lead-taking goal five minutes after the whistle. The Lady Booters were able to control ball possession for the most part of the match and got to deflect attempts from the Tigresses.

It seemed as if the game was to end at a 2-1 score until Chelo Hodges was able to add more salt to the wounds of the Tigresses in the 80th minute.

Already securing a finals berth early on in the second elimination round, the Lady Booters look to avenge their bitter bridesmaid finish last year and close out the season by ending their championship drought in five years.

The Lady Booters will try to cap off the season with gold on May 7 at the Rizal Memorial Stadium. For now, they await for their Finals opponent between UST or ADMU.