Overview

• Result: Maranatha 2-1 Moody
• Venue: Archer Soccer Field
• Attendance: 52
• Record: Sabercats are now 5-6
• Next Game for MBU: Saturday, October 5 at 5 p.m. at Illinois Tech.

CHICAGO -- In a crucial NCCAA North Region match, goals from Nathan Akers and Tyler Nelson propelled the Sabercats to an exhilarating 2-1 win over archrivals Moody Bible this afternoon.

The Sabercats started well, as they kept the ball in the Archers' half for the opening minutes. Akers broke the deadlock just 15 minutes into the game when he cut into the Moody penalty area on the left side before placing a precise shot to the right corner. Akers' effort glanced off the post on its way into the back of the net. Advantage: Maranatha.

The Archers - who outshot the Sabercats 14-10 throughout the game - created some chances in the first half but did not really stress Andrew Taylor or the Sabercats' back line. At halftime, Akers' goal remained the difference-maker.

Moody looked menacing in the opening minutes of the second half, as they shelled the Sabercats' goal for the first 5 minutes. The Archers earned 2 corner kicks and nearly found the equalizer, but an adroit save from point-blank range by Taylor kept the clean sheet intact.

It took the Sabercats less than 10 minutes to find the insurance goal in the second half, and it came in style.

It started when Andrew Ice was quick on his feet to intercept an Archer pass up the middle. Ice slid and popped the ball up in the air for Tyler Nelson, who took his shot off the bounce from fully 25 yards out. Nelson's volley sailed towards the far corner and sunk in just under the crossbar and into the side netting for a spectacular insurance goal.

The Sabercats created a couple of chances to put the game away, but 2 saves from a hard-working Brooks Montgomery froze the total at 2 down the stretch.

The Archers pulled one back with just under 15 minutes left. Daniel Martinez - who had been a threatening presence in the Moody midfield all afternoon - put away his chance off of a Charles Miller cross to give Moody a lifeline. 

Moody made things stressful for Maranatha in the late minutes, but 2 shots sailed high and Taylor made a secure save on a third effort to keep the Sabercats in front when it mattered most.

The win for Maranatha marks the first win at Moody since 2008 and the first regular-season win over Moody since 2009. Akers' goal was his fifth of the 2017 campaign while Nelson bagged his fourth of the season.

MBU's victory could be a difference-maker in the postseason at the NCCAA North Region tournament, but the seedings are still to be determined.

Maranatha will return to the Windy City to face off against Illinois Tech Saturday. Kickoff is set for 5 p.m. at Stuart Field. Catch the details of that game at mbusabercats.com/composite.