Overview

• Result: MBU 2-1 RC
• Venue: Maranatha Baptist University
• Attendance: 53
• Record: Sabercats are now 4-2 
• Next Game for MBU: Friday, September 22 at 3 p.m. vs Grace Bible

WATERTOWN, Wis. -- Sabercats Men's Soccer posted another dramatic comeback this afternoon, as they rallied with 2 goals in the final 10 minutes to win a thriller on the MBU campus. The victory was the third straight win for MBU.

According to Coach Jeff Pill, it was "some of our best soccer so far this season," as the Sabercats controlled the flow of the game, especially in the second half.

However, it was the Red Hawks that got on the board first in the 11th minute. After intercepting a pass in the Sabercats' defensive half, the Red Hawks sent the ball wide to Eugene Pliska, who sent in a cross in front of the Sabercats' goal. Devin Hoaglin was on hand, and he buried his finish into the far corner from close range. 

The Red Hawks were the better team through the opening 20 minutes, but the Sabercats soon settled into a rhythm and created chances throughout the rest of the half. Despite their efforts, the Sabercats still could not find a solution to a hard-working Ripon defense. At halftime, it was 1-0 in favor of the visitors.

"Persistence" was the key word for MBU through the last 45 minutes, as they pummeled the Ripon goal with 15 shots in the half. A stalwart Jimmy Amedeo was up to the task in the Red Hawk goal, as the junior goalkeeper turned away 5 shots through the opening 35 minutes.

Then came the final 10 minutes, and the Sabercats' persistence paid off. A formation change from Pill had an immediate impact, as Nathan Akers slipped a through ball behind the Red Hawk defenders to an oncoming Daniel Kroll. Kroll dribbled hard into the box on the left side and nestled his finish beyond Amedeo into the top-right corner for the emphatic equalizer. The goal was Kroll's second career goal.

Kroll's game-tying goal set the momentum firmly in the Sabercats' favor, and the second goal was inevitable. It came just in time, and in bizarre fashion. Amedeo was working overtime, as he made a spectacular double save to deny Steven Thompson's and Akers' hard-hit shots from inside the penalty area. The ball stayed in the Ripon box, and it fell to the feet of Eric Fausto, who had the presence of mind to make a short pass in to Tyler Nelson in front of the goal. Nelson touched the ball to his left and slammed it into the lower corner to give the Sabercats an overdue go-ahead goal.

From there, the Sabercats' defense stood firm to deny the Red Hawks a clear shot at goal over the last 2 minutes. Throughout the 90 minutes, the Sabercats out-shot the Red Hawks 20-8. For Nelson, it was his second goal in as many games.

"We are very pleased with several things that happened tday," said Pill. "Mostly, the guys' patience and determination to not lose focus. We never lost our composure, and we kept the pressure on in the second half. We were able to switch systems to try to get a result, and I'm excited how we were able to adapt. We are also excited about how many guys are contributing. We have depth and are excited about how we are taking advantage of it."

Since 2013, the Sabercats hold an undefeated 4-0-1 record over the Red Hawks.

Next up for MBU will be their NCCAA opponents Grace Bible College. Kickoff is set for 3 p.m. Friday on the MBU campus. Catch the details of that game at mbusabercats.com/composite.