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UST sweeps FEU, inch closer to the UAAP final

Charisa Lemoran and UST inch closer to the UAAP Women's Final after a repeat mastery over FEU.
By Earl Averilla

QUEZON CITY -- UST delivered the goods on the attack as two goals on each half proved to be enough to seal their double against FEU and maintain their second spot in the UAAP Women's football table late in the afternoon at the FEU-Diliman pitch.

The first half began with the Tigresses given the early chances, but FEU keeper Hazel Arce was able to come up with crucial saves despite that the back-up for Inna Palacios in the Malditas earned her UAAP debut in this encounter.

First blood eventually went to the home team's favor as Jean Kadil dribbled well to create space and drove her shot towards the back of the net.

Despite being a goal down, the Tigresses continued to attack and use their front-line's speed to advantage to catch the defense off-guard.

The visitors' persistence eventually paid off as a great run by Charisa Lemoran created an opportunity to lay off a gift of a chance to Hazel Lustan who buried it to notch the equalizer.

FEU tried to answer shortly as they gave a tense moment to their rivals who cannot clear their lines for a time but eventually were able to bail themselves out.

Let Dimzon's wards would eventually rue that chance as UST was awarded a penalty when Zhyrelle Belluga was penalized for a handball inside the box. The spot kicked that followed was taken by Lemoran who cannot be denied as the season hosts got the lead heading into the break.

Early in the second half, both teams traded chances but the Tigresses gained dominance as time wore on.

Come the 61st minute a scramble left FEU's goal unguarded but Aging Rubio's wards were not able to take full advantage of.

That won't matter though as they finally get their goal in the 65th minute as Thea Sumilang unleashed a shot on goal that deflected off a defender, deceiving Hazel Arce and into the net.

Later on, The Tigresses made it four goals as Shelah Cadag produced a brilliant freekick from distance to put them in ten points after seven matches.

The home side finally tallied the last goal of the match as a consolation just four minutes before full time for 4-2 but it might be the season for the Lady Tamaraws as they still stuck at 4th with 5 points.

The win puts the University of Santo Tomas in a strong position to return to the Women's final for the first time since 2012.

"Masaya dahil we were able to deliver yung play na dinesign namin para sa team. And na-address namin yung kulang namin sa stamina," said the UST alumna after the match.

Follow him on Twitter: @earlaverilla