WATERTOWN, Wis. -- A first-half hat-trick from Michael Doese and an early goal from Chase Mixell were enough to decide a muddy contest this afternoon, as Maranatha defended their "home field" to beat Oak Hills Christian 4-1.

It was Doese's first career hat-trick and Mixell's second career goal, as the Sabercats concluded the regular season on a high note heading into the NCCAA Midwest Region Tournament.

OVERVIEW

• Result: Maranatha 4-1 Oak Hills
• Venue: Maranatha Baptist University
• Location: Watertown, Wis.
• Attendance: 60
• Record: MBU (2-13-1), OHCC (0-9-0) 

STORY

The game blew wide open early on, as the teams competed on the Sabercats' training field, right next to the regular game field due to weather. Grant Kirchner created space for a cross on the right side and sent a cross to the back post, where Mixell nudged it in with the outside of his foot to give Maranatha the 1-0 lead.

It was Doese's turn about 10 minutes later, as the freshman found space at the top of the box and fired a shot off the post and in. Doese didn't stop there, scoring from inside the box with a punched low shot - Joshua Wright - clipped in both assists for Doese's two goals and the Sabercats were in full control.

The fourth goal came six minutes before halftime, when Josh Donovan sent a ball into the box and found Doese running in. Doese prepared a shot with his right foot before firing his shot into the top corner for an unstoppable fourth goal.

From there, the Sabercats had multiple chances throughout the remainder of the game. Robbie Lemon came closest with a shot in the second half that crashed off the crossbar, but the scoring had stopped in the first half. Oak Hills managed a goal late in the game, but the one goal wasn't enough on a rainy day.

Brad Brock and Luke Bishop took the win by playing 45 minutes each in the goal.

VIDEO

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Maranatha Starters: 1- Brock, 2- T. Holloway, 3- Doese, 7- Lemon, 8- Davis (C), 9- Wright (C), 11- Beachell, 16- Kirchner, 18- Mixell, 19- Miller, 20- P. Holloway (C)

STATS

• Shots: Maranatha 35-4 Oak Hills
• Doese: First career hat-trick
• Donovan: First career assist
• Last time: This was the first meeting between the two teams

OPPONENTS

• Oak Hills competes in the NCCAA North Region
• This is Oak Hills' first season

NEXT

The Sabercats will stay in Watertown, Wisconsin to play in the NCCAA Midwest Region Tournament on November 3. Time and opponent TBD. Follow along at mbusabercats.com/schedule.