THE UST Lady Booters missed out on Final Four berth despite a 2-0 victory against the UP Fighting Maroons in the UAAP Season 89 women’s football tournament on Wednesday, Oct. 28, at the UP Diliman Football Field.
The Lady Booters tallied a 3-2-5 win-draw-loss record, while the Fighting Maroons ended the season with a 5-0-5 record securing a spot in the semifinals.
Ateneo completed the Final Four cast as they trounced the NU Bulldogs.
UST’s Rodina Fernandez and UP’s Erisa Rivas almost crossed a back-and-forth goal within the sixth minute.
The Diliman-based squad nearly pulled a goal with Rivas’ two-straight attempts, but Thomasian defender Rica Gerona tightly defended both in the 23rd minute.
Meanwhile, Joyce Gemberva fell short in pulling a goal off a fastbreak in the 26th minute before Maroon goalkeeper Mariel Sancho made the save.
But during the second half, Sophia Hodge quickly struck the first match goal for the Lady Booters in the 65th minute off an assist from a triple-teamed Fernandez.
The Thomasian-based squad then fired-up another point in the 79th minute through a fastbreak score from Glydelle Añonuevo.
Timely defense from goalkeeper Ilah Adolfo and Gerona in stoppage time prevented UP’s Gabby Calope to answer back offensively as UST secured their third win of the season.
The Lady Booters placed fifth to end their campaign ahead of National University. F
