ANKENY, Iowa -- It all happened in the blink of an eye, as the Sabercats struck twice to secure a 2-0 win at Faith to spoil homecoming this afternoon.

Braeden Hansel's free kick and Aaron Jones' close-range finish made the difference in the win, as the Sabercats stay undefeated in NCCAA North Region play.

OVERVIEW

• Result: Maranatha 2-0 Faith
• Venue: Pyche Field - Faith Baptist Bible College
• Location: Ankeny, Iowa
• Event: NCCAA North Region regular season
• Attendance: 159
• Record: MBU (4-5-1), FBBC (5-3-2) 

STORY

The intensity of yesterday's tie with Emmaus seemed to be taking a toll on the Sabercats, who played a relatively uninspired first half. Faith created some chances early on but a couple of key saves from Ian Balyo negated Faith's bid for momentum. At the other end of the field, Jones got behind the Eagles' back line a couple of times but a clear chance never materialized.

The first half was predictably goalless, and both teams went into the break in need of a change.

As the second half developed, Maranatha began to settle into an adjusted formation and create chances to keep the Eagles on the back foot. Hansel and Grant Kirchner both created chances with some well-struck crosses, but Samuel Carstensen was confident in handling his goalkeeping assignments for the hosts. Maranatha needed a breakthrough.

And around the 75th-minute mark, Hansel and Jones provided it.

Hansel had the game-winner, placing a 25-yard free kick over the Faith wall and into the bottom corner for a pin-point opening goal. It was just the lift the Sabercats needed, and it was 75 minutes in the making.

Braeden!!!! pic.twitter.com/WEtzA8cc1K

— Matt Davis (@MaranathaCEO) October 8, 2022

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The strike provided a letup in Faith's resolve, and Jones exploited it just one minute later. Isaac Schmidt sent in a dangerous ball into the goal area that deflected to Jones, and Jones made no mistake, calmly slotting a finish inside the near post for a poached insurance goal.

Faith pressed for a comeback, but their best effort - a free kick from James Busenitz - was slapped away by Balyo to deny any chance of momentum. After another hard-fought NCCAA North Region battle, the Sabercats emerged 2-0 victors to move to 4-0-1 in North Region play.

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Maranatha Starters: 00- Balyo, 2- T. Holloway (C), 5- Jones, 8- Davis, 9- Wright (C), 10- Schmidt, 11- Beachell, 16- Kirchner, 20- P. Holloway, 21- Hansel (C), 23- Perkins

STATS

• Shot count: Maranatha 22-9 Faith
• Jones: 9th goal of the season
• Jones: has scored in 6 of the last 7 games
• Hansel: 6th goal of the season
• Schmidt: 2nd assist of the season
• Balyo: 7 saves, clean sheet
• Last time: Maranatha beat Faith 1-0 in 2OT on September 30, 2021
• Series: Maranatha now leads the all-time series against Faith 11-2-1

OPPONENTS

• Faith competes with Maranatha in the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCAA Dlll)
• Faith also competes in the Midwest Christian College Conference
• Faith finished the 2021 season with a record of 10-6-0
• Faith lost to Crown College in last year's NCCAA North Region Tournament

NEXT

The Sabercats travel to Deerfield, Ill. to take on Trinity International University on Thursday at 3:00 p.m. Follow along at mbusabercats.com/schedule.