RIPON, Wis. -- Three first-half goals were all it took today, as the Sabercats fell 3-0 at Ripon University this afternoon.

Maranatha shored up their defensive efforts in the second half, keeping a clean sheet against a polished NCAA DIII opponent.

OVERVIEW

• Result: Maranatha 0-3 Ripon
• Venue: Prairie Field - Ripon College
• Location: Ripon, Wis. 
• Attendance: 42
• Record: MBU (3-6-0), RC (3-6-2) 

STORY

Ripon had an eye for goal in the opening minutes, as they poured the pressure on the Sabercats and created multiple scoring chances. The pressure paid off quickly, as the Red Hawks scored in the 10th minute off of a well-worked counter-attack.

The goal and the opportunity were par for the course in the opening minutes, as the Red Hawks' pressure persisted. Ripon scored twice in quick succession around the 30-minute mark, and the Sabercats were at a loss for answers at the other end of the field.

Braeden Hansel provided a spark of inspiration in the second half by intercepting a wayward Red Hawk pass and dribbling into the box, but the senior's strike whizzed over the crossbar and out for a goal kick.

Maranatha limited Ripon's scoring chances in the second half, as the hosts fired off only four shots. It was Ripon's game to win, but the Sabercats made it hard for their hosts as the game came to a finish.

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Maranatha Starters: 00- Balyo, 2- T. Holloway (C), 5- Jones, 8- Davis, 9- Wright (C), 10- Schmidt, 11- Beachell, 13- Donovan, 16- Kirchner, 20- P. Holloway, 21- Hansel (C)

STATS

• Box score: (link)
• Shot count: Maranatha 1-16 Ripon
• Last time: Maranatha fell to Ripon 1-6 in September 2021
• Series: Ripon now leads the all-time series 7-5-3

OPPONENTS

• Ripon competes in the Midwest Conference (NCAA-Dlll)
• Ripon finished the 2021 season with a record of 4-13-1
• Ripon did not qualify for their conference tournament last season

NEXT

The Sabercats travel to Dubuque, Iowa to take on Emmaus Bible College on Friday at 4:00 p.m. for an NCCAA North Region match-up. Follow along at mbusabercats.com/schedule.