Fiesty, Frenzied Finale

WATERTOWN, Wis. -- The Sabercats fell 4-2 to Spurgeon College to close the regular season this afternoon, and it was a game that had just about everything.

The final 10 minutes were as frantic as the first half was disappointing, as the Sabercats finished the campaign with a game they won't forget.

OVERVIEW

• Result: Maranatha 2-4 Spurgeon
• Venue: Maranatha Baptist University
• Location: Watertown, Wis.
• Attendance: 101
• Record: MBU (1-14-1), SC (3-2-0) 

STORY

Katelyn Morrison scored from a rebound from Megan Prigge in the first half to give the Sabercats a 1-0 lead, but the celebrations were overshadowed by two injuries, as Esther Garren and Aubrey Secor finished their day early with a visit to the trainer table. After a couple of unplanned substitutions, the Sabercats went into the halftime break with a 1-0 lead and a heavier note to the first 45 minutes.

Spurgeon persisted, and they were rewarded in the 62nd minute through Beth Bishop, who would eventually be the protagonist with a four-goal performance for the visitors. Her equalizer was just the start.

Bishop struck again in the 84th minute, and it signaled a back-and-forth frenzy of three goals in just 40 seconds. Bishop redirected a corner kick in from close range for the Knights, but just 12 seconds later, Megan Prigge looped in a ball from the corner of the field that snuck in just under the crossbar for a spectacular equalizer.

As if in response, Bishop copied Prigge's attempt but from a more central position. Spurgeon's goal-scorer sent a shot that flew just under the crossbar from 30-plus yards, and it came just about 20 seconds after Prigge's equalizer. 

It was a roller coaster of emotions, and Spurgeon felt a lot better about things when it was over with.

Bishop's final goal added insult to injury, as it came with just under a minute remaining. Bishop sprung behind the Sabercats' back line and finished a breakaway attempt that seemed to cut through the back of the net like a dagger.

Prigge created a couple of late chances but it wasn't enough, as Spurgeon put the finishing touches on the hard-earned win.

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Maranatha Starters: 0- Willette, 2- Habegger, 3- Morrison, 5- Graham, 7- Garren, 8- Bishop (C), 12- Clark, 17- Prigge, 19- Donough, 20- Herrera, 21- Secor

STATS

• Prigge: 4 goals on the season (team-best)
• Morrison: 3 goals on the season
• Mallory Willette: 4 saves on the day
• Shot count: Maranatha 20-12 Spurgeon
• Series: This was the first match-up between Marantha and Spurgeon

OPPONENTS

• Spurgeon College competes in the NCCAA South West Conference
• This is Spurgeon College's first season for its women's soccer program.

NEXT

The Sabercats await details for the NCCAA Regional Tournament. Follow along at mbusabercats.com/schedule.