Twice in Two Days: Second-Half Comeback Sinks Sabercats

THE LEAD

GREENVILLE, Ill. -- It was déjà vu for the Sabercats this weekend. For the second day in a row, MBU lost a 1-0 lead at halftime to lose 1-2. This time, it was at the hands of a talented Greenville University side.

Zeke Steuerwald headed in his first collegiate goal from an Austin DeAngelo free kick, but two send-half penalty kicks sealed it for Greenville.

THE OVERVIEW

• Result: Maranatha 1-2 Greenville
• Venue: Francis Field, Greenville University
• Location: Greenville, Illinois
• Records: MBU (0-2-0), GU (1-1-0)

THE STORY

Maranatha's goal was against the run of play. Greenville shelled Andrew Taylor throughout the first half, and the four-year goalkeeper made 11 saves to keep the score at zero for his 45-minute shift between the posts.

Steuerwald's goal game in the 26th minute of play. DeAngelo had a free kick near the sideline, and he curled it towards the back post just within striking range of the goal. Steuerwald got free of his mark, and pounded a header into the ground towards the far corner. His emphatic nod bounced on the goal line and into the upper corner. 1-0 Sabercats.

For the second day in a row, Maranatha held a 1-0 halftime lead.

Greenville continued to push for the equalizer, and they found it just five minutes into the second half. After the Panthers drew a foul inside the penalty area, Juan Jose Herranz stepped up and slotted it into the lower-right-hand corner. Tie game.

Sensing the Sabercats' fatigue from their game the day prior, Greenville kept the pressure on full. Timothy Kinzler made some impressive saves in goal, and Brendan Burckart had a heroic goal-line clearance, but the Panthers earned their second penalty kick in the 82nd minute. Herranz was given the responsibility again, and he went the other way, scoring high and to the left this time.

Greenville closed out the game from that point on, as they kept the ball in the Sabercats' end for the final eight minutes.

THE STATS

• Steuerwald's goal was his first collegiate goal.
• Taylor and Kinzler combined for 17 saves.
• Greenville has now won both games in the all-time series.

THE OUTLOOK

The Sabercats will face NCCAA North Region opponents North Central (Minn.) next Thursday. The venue for the game is still to be confirmed. Find details of the game at mbusabercats.com/composite.