DUBUQUE, Iowa -- Three goals from Braeden Hansel fueled a 4-2 away win over Emmaus Bible College in a wild NCCAA North Region rivalry this afternoon.

Kyle Cummins added the fourth and final goal with a late penalty kick, securing Maranatha's first win of the season and a 1-1 record in North Region play.

OVERVIEW

• Result: Maranatha 4-2 Emmaus
• Venue: Pyche Field, Emmaus Bible College
• Location: Dubuque, Iowa
• Event: NCCAA North Region regular season
• Attendance: 81
• Record: MBU (1-4-0), EBC (1-4-0)

STORY

Hansel got things started right away with a long-distance connection in the third minute. He sent a ball into the box that flew over the Emmaus goalkeeper and nestled into the side netting for the opening goal of the game.

Emmaus equalized right away, signaling the start of an end-to-end battle in the first half. Hansel restated the Sabercats' case in the 19th minute by firing off a low shot that was just too hot for the goalkeeper to deal with. 

The Sabercats had their lead, and Hansel was at the front of the pack.

Emmaus equalized before the break though, showing that they weren't going down without a fight. At halftime, a 2-2 deadlock was fitting for a high-spirited North Region clash on the Emmaus campus.

The fight continued into the second half, but the Sabercats made better use of their chances and their defending. More and more shots fell the Sabercats' way, and in the 61st minute, they regained the lead. Grant Kirchner slipped a pass behind the Eagles' back line to set up Hansel, who thrashed a shot into the top-left corner for an emphatic go-ahead goal. The Sabercats had the wind, the momentum, and an eye on their first win of the season.

That win was sealed from the penalty mark, as Kyle Cummins stepped up under pressure, converting his effort from 12 yards to put the final touches on a hard-earned win.

Ian Balyo collected the first win of his college career by making 3 saves in the win. 

 --

Maranatha Starters: 00- Balyo, 2- T. Holloway, 3- Elms (C), 5- Jones, 9- Wright (C), 11- Cummins, 16- Kirchner, 18- P. Holloway, 20- Cooper (C), 21- Hansel (C), 23- Perkins

STATS

• Shot count: Maranatha 20-7 Emmaus
• Hansel: First collegiate hat-trick
• Cummins: Second goal this season
• Kirchner: First career assist
• Balyo: 3 saves
• Last time: Maranatha defeated Emmaus 3-1 in their last match in 2019
• Series: Maranatha leads the all-time series against Emmaus 7-0 

OPPONENTS

• Emmaus competes with the Sabercats for the NCCAA North Region
• Emmaus competes in the Midwest Christian College Conference
• Emmaus did not compete in Men's Soccer in 2020 due to COVID

NEXT

The Sabercats stay in Iowa as they move on to Ankeny tomorrow to take on Faith at 4:30 p.m. in another NCCAA North Region match. Follow along at mbusabercats.com/schedule.