ANKENY, Iowa - In the elimination game for the 2016 NCCAA North Regional Tournament, Wira Wama scored a bullet with four seconds on the clock in double overtime to give the Sabercats the golden-goal win and a ticket to the NCCAA Regional Semifinal. At the end of 110 minutes, the Sabercats snuck by the Pilots of Providence University College, whom the Sabercats beat 3-1 at home on October 17th.

The Basics

• Result: Sabercats 1-0 Pilots (OT)
• Venue: Pyche Field | Faith Baptist Bible College
• Attendance: 75
• Sabercats: now 5-13 for the season; 3-2 in NCCAA play; 1-0 in the postseason

How it Happened

• The game had anything but a cagey opening, as both teams aggressively created chances with a direct style of play early on. The Pilots created two early chances, but Andrew Taylor skillfully denied the opening goal to keep the Sabercats level.
• Throughout the first half, Providence was the more dangerous team, as they kept the pressure on the Sabercats and created scoring chances from free kicks and from open play. Kevin Risma and Wama both had efforts on goal in the first half, but Providence's Darcy Friesen kept the ball in play and the teams entered halftime all square.
• The Sabercats began to dominate play in the second half and continued the trend until the half-ending whistle. Steven Thompson and Wama both received chances inside the Providence box, but neither player was able to find the back of the net. Late in the second half, a mistimed challenge from a Providence defender was worthy of a second yellow card and a sending off, which reduced Providence to 10 men. 
• After 45 more minutes of a scoreless standoff, the match headed to overtime.
• The Sabercats controlled the play in the first overtime period but were nearly shocked when Braxton Phommarath had a breakaway in the final minute. If not for the brave and effective play of goalkeeper Andrew Taylor, the Sabercats would have had their season ended.
• In the final overtime period, the Sabercats remained relentless against the short-handed Pilots. Just when the match seemed to be shootout-bound, Wira Wama produced a spectacular winner. After collecting a half-clearance from a Caleb Hockema cross, Wama beat two defenders on the top of the box and fired a shot into the far top corner with just four seconds on the clock. (1-0)

You can visit the MBU Sabercats twitter page to see a video of the Wama goal.

Up Next

• The Sabercats have just a few hours to switch gears before playing the Rams of North Central University in the semifinal.
• Last time the two teams met, the Rams (#1 Seed) defeated the Sabercats 3-0 in Watertown in September.
• You can watch the game live here courtesy of FBBC Eagles Athletics Communications.

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More about MBU Athletics: The mission of the Athletic Department of Maranatha Baptist University is to develop leadership skills in the student-athlete through skilled training, godly mentoring, and intercollegiate competition.

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