By Lianna Roc

The Ateneo High School Girls Football/Futsal Team (AHSGFT) competed in the Rizal Football Association (RIFA) 9-aside tournament High School Open Division on December 8, 2024, and January 19, 2025—punching a ticket to the semifinals with a 3-win, 1-draw slate.

The girls opened their RIFA campaign on December 8, 2024, at the Ateneo Ocampo Field, where they first drew against Assumption Antipolo at 0-0.

Recovering from the first match, the girls quickly gathered their wits in their clash against Miriam College Team B, taking home their very first victory with a 1-0 scoreline.

On January 19, 2025, the girls continued their RIFA journey at the Moro Lorenzo Field, facing San Beda Rizal to take home another 1-0 victory.

To close the group stages, the Eagles defeated La Salle Greenhills (LSGH) in a dominant fashion, ending the match at 3-0.

Hannah Bayhon, who was responsible for 2 of the 3 goals from the team’s last match, shared that she was ‘incredibly proud,’ of the team’s performance thus far.

“…Scoring those two goals would not have been possible without their [the team’s] assists and solid defense,” Bayhon said.

Despite her good game, she admitted that she still had room for improvement, adding that: “There is still a lot I need to work on and skills to develop, but I’m committed to improving to help the team and play well in the future.”

Meanwhile, team captain Ry Dolor admitted that they did not expect to be doing this good in the tournament—not because of a lack of trust in the team’s capabilities, but because they have faced major hurdles as a unit. 

They shared that they’ve faced a severe lack of players ever since tryouts in September, where they began with only five players and still only have eleven players to date.

“[I remember] On the first day of the tournament, we had two games that day and exactly nine players, meaning we had no substitutes. Despite that, we didn’t lose either game.” 

Nonetheless, Dolor shares that the lack of players has also been a ‘blessing in disguise,’ as it gives them more playing time and pushes them to work harder on the field.

They also shared that the team does not currently train for football, as they primarily focus on its indoor counterpart, futsal, which involves a different set of techniques and skills.

Even with all this being said, Dolor asserts that the AHSGFT continues to ‘rise above challenges,’ and persevere.

“The three wins and one draw are the results of the blood, sweat, and tears that the team has poured into the game and our training sessions,” Dolor adds.

Still, Dolor encourages the team to continue working hard for their succeeding games. “Whatever games we have ahead of us, we always remember: win or lose, it’s the school we choose!”

The team will close their RIFA campaign on February 15 at the Moro Lorenzo Field, where they will vie for a seat in the finals.