Hurting? Tired? Star keeper McDaniel won’t have it any other way
Playing her third game in less than two weeks, it was natural for Olivia McDaniel to begin feeling the effects of the grueling schedule.
A little soreness here. A pinch of fatigue there. A ton of blessed feelings everywhere.
“This is the life we chose,” McDaniel, the first-string national squad goalkeeper who led club team Stallion Laguna FC star to a 1-0 victory over newcomer Capital1 recently in the PFF Women’s League.
“It’s a privilege to be able to play for the national team and then come here and play right away,” she added after the match held at Mall of Asia Football Pitch, where Stallion took the solo lead in the tournament.
McDaniel’s stint in front of the goal preserved sister Chandler McDaniel’s 59th-minute goal against the Solar Strikers and hand Stallion its ninth point from three games.
Currently at second are Kaya-Iloilo FC and Makati FC, who are at six points each and both with a game in hand.
Capital1 stayed at three points, tied with University of the Philippines, who collected the points after a 2-1 victory over University of Santo Tomas.
The Maroons leaned on Patricia Espinosa (44th) and Isalyn Tundag (66th) to finally break through to the win column and keep UST winless. The Tigresses’ goal came in extra time, courtesy of Stephanie Longastua.
Olivia McDaniel marshaled a defensive effort by Stallion that kept the gritty Solar Strikers at bay. Later, after the match, she had time to reflect on how the league has given the country’s top female booters a platform to showcase their talents—packed schedules and all.
“We can’t have people feeling bad for us because there are many girls who would want to be in our position,” McDaniel said.
“I’m just really grateful that I get to be able to play three games in eight days. I’m tired and my body hurts but there’s nothing I’d rather be doing,” she added.
And even Capital1’s star keeper, Yasmin Elauria, a former standout from Far Eastern U, couldn’t complain after the loss.
“There was time when after you graduated, there was nowhere else to play football,” said Elauria. “But now, there’s an opportunity to play in a semi-pro tournament like the Women’s League.”
“So I’m thankful, because it’s an improvement.”
