ANGELIZA Sta. Clara headed in the winning goal in the 67th minute, sending the University of the Philippines Lady Maroons to a 2-1 victory over La Salle in the 78th University Athletic Association of the Philippines women’s football finals at the Rizal Memorial turf on Thursday.
She went for a header from inside the penalty, closed her eyes and never thought her attempt would hit the net, handing the Lady Maroons their first-ever crown since 1995.
“It was a hard, hard battle. La Salle dominated in the first half. But we were resilient,” said UP coach Anton Gonzales.
Cristina de los Reyes scored UP’s first marker with a free kick in the 48th minute.
Then, La Salle equalized in the 61st, when Sara Castaneda scored on an indirect free off a handball violation by a UP defender.
The loss kept La Salle from winning its first title since 2010.