USC tumbles anew

BUSY KEEPER: Futbol Sociodad de Leyte keeper Lourdes Rojas in action against Queen City. FSL lost 7-0 to QC in their first game,and defeated CMOFA, 2-1 last May 12.

Sun*Star photo by Arni Aclao

IN JUST a few months, the University of San Carlos Ladies squad has spiraled from being the Cebu Women’s Open champion to being doormats.

After losing some of its key players to graduation, USC lost big time to Queen City United, 5-0, in yesterday’s Cebu Inter Club Invitational Tournament at the Sacred Heart School-Jesuit field.

What was probably more heartbreaking for the USC Ladies was that they were playing against a team with players who were with them just a few months ago.

QCU ace-striker Rodora Toledo scored a one against her former team at the second minute and Jan Salac buried the reigning Women’s champion deeper with a hat trick.

Salac got past Sharmaine Cambiador at the 14th and 23rd for a 3-0 lead going into the final half.

A change of goalkeepers didn’t fare well for USC as Salac completed her hat trick four minutes into the second half against Niña Mahinay.

To make matters worse, USC defender Vanessa Amann redirected the ball into her own goal for a 5-0 count in the 56th.

“Mahinay fumbled her save and Amman hit the ball to the net,” referee Michael Culibra said. “Queen City dominated the match, but Marlou Solon didn’t even play.”

Solon, also a USC product, is a known scoring threat.

In the other Ladies match-up, the Cagayan Misamis Oriental Football Association outlasted a gritty Football Sociedad de Leyte, 2-1, for its second win.

Cmofa got a 2-0 lead going into the second half courtesy of Ewa Furio’s goal at the fifth and Carla Alabat’s strike at the 37th.

FSL came back in the 59th with a perfect set piece from Jeynette Mercado, who sent the ball to the top corner to make it 2-1. Mercado had another attempt a few minutes later but was stopped by the Cmofa goalkeeper.

Despite some more advances, FSL couldn’t connect again and keeper Leonila Lourdes Rojas had to scramble a few saves to keep the margin low.

Both teams are already in the semifinals and will just be playing for rankings, while USC will play for pride when it faces Mulbachs in its final assignment today at the University of San Carlos-Technological Center (USC-TC).