CHICAGO, Ill. -- Thanks to a stunning Grant Kirchner hat-trick, the Sabercats upended Moody Bible Institute 3-0 this afternoon for their first win of the 2022 season.

Kirchner's goals all came in the second half, and the sophomore completed his hat-trick with less than two minutes on the clock to open North Region play.

OVERVIEW

• Result: Maranatha 3-0 Moody
• Venue: Moody Bible Institute 
• Location: Chicago, Ill.
• Event: NCCAA North Region regular season
• Attendance: 41
• Record: MBU (1-2-0), MBI (0-4-0) 

STORY

Maranatha had chances to get on the board early on but somehow the ball stayed out of the net. Aaron Jones fired a warning shot when he weaved through the Archers' defense, but the sophomore's shot slammed off the post and behind the end line for a goal kick. Robbie Lemon had the next-best chance with a close-range shot, but a sliding save from Caleb Whiting kept Maranatha scoreless going into the break.

The inevitable breakthrough came just 10 minutes into the second half off a long free kick. Braeden Hansel sent in a ball towards the back post where Joshua Wright knocked it down into the path of Kirchner. Kirchner wasted no time in burying his attempt low into the corner, and the Sabercats finally had their lead.

Kirchner doubled it less than a minute later. Jones slid a pass wide to Kirchner, who cut in towards the top of the box before slipping a low shot into the left-hand corner from 20 yards away.

The chances just kept on coming Maranatha's way but Kirchner dealt his final blow with less than two minutes left. Isaac Schmidt crossed the ball into the box and over everyone's head, but Kirchner tracked it down, saved it from going over the sideline, and took on a Moody defender at the side of the box. Kirchner wrapped his shot towards the far corner, and it grazed the post as it found the far side-netting for an eye-catching closer.

Kirchner had saved his best for last. And Maranatha had secured their first win of the season - their biggest margin of victory over the Archers since 2010.

Ian Balyo was credited with one save on the day, and the back line of Hansel, Philip Holloway, Thomas Holloway, Joshua Donovan, and Jamin Beachell secured the Sabercats' first shutout of the 2022 campaign.

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Maranatha Starters: 00- Balyo, 2- T. Holloway (C), 5- Jones, 7- Lemon, 8- Davis, 9- Wright (C), 12- Greene, 16- Kirchner, 18- P. Holloway, 20- P. Holloway, 21- Hansel (C)

STATS

• Shot count: Maranatha 24-2 Moody
• Kirchner: First career hat-trick
• Last time: Maranatha lost to Moody 2-1 at home in October of 2021
• Series: Maranatha now trails the all-time series against Moody 15-36-0

OPPONENTS

• Moody competes in the National Christian Collegiate Athletic Association
• Moody finished 2021 with a 5-6-1 record

NEXT

The Sabercats travel to Beloit, Wisconsin to take on Beloit College, Thursday at 4:00 p.m. Follow along at mbusabercats.com/schedule.