WATERTOWN, Wis. -- The Sabercats' season came to an end this afternoon in the NCCAA North Region Tournament, as they fell 2-0 to the North Central University Rams.

The win sees North Central advance to a highly anticipated semifinal with Providence University College on Friday. The Sabercats will travel home tomorrow with a 4-11-1 record for the 2022 season.

OVERVIEW

• Result: Maranatha 0-2 RV North Central
• Venue: Elliot Park Field 
• Location: Minneapolis, Minn.
• Attendance: 61
• Record: MBU (4-11-1), NCU (7-12-1) 

STORY

Maranatha had a tailwind to start the second half and they took advantage of it, keeping the ball in North Central's end for the better part of the first half. Aaron Jones provided the best moment of the game with a well-struck shot toward the upper corner, but it was dealt with by the steady hands of Jerad Buse in the North Central goal.

The Rams looked eager to capitalize on their home-field advantage, and they did just five minutes before the break with a header from Alex Chacich. The goal gave the hosts momentum going into the break on a day where momentum was crucial.

Even with the deficit, the Sabercats stayed focused and kept possession in the Rams' end to start the second half, but just as Maranatha gained momentum, the Rams scored against the run of play. Chacich shouldered the responsibility yet again, breaking behind the Sabercats back line before finishing a breakaway for the insurance goal in the 68th minute.

By then, the Rams had the end in sight, and they frustrated the Sabercats' attempts at a comeback. On Maranatha's side, it was a day of "almosts," as the Rams consistently negated the Sabercats' relentless pressure throughout the 90 minutes.

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Seniors Braeden Hansel and Jamin Beachell played their final games in Maranatha colors. Seniors Hansel, Joshua Wright, and Thomas Holloway finished the final game of their four-year careers for MBU.

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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 1-22 North Central
• Last time: Maranatha fell to North Central 1-0 on September 6, 2018
• Series: Maranatha currently leads the all-time series against North Central 12-10-0

OPPONENTS

• North Central competes in the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCAA-Dlll)
• North Central also competes in the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference
• North Central did not qualify for the 2022 UMAC tournament
• North Central finished the 2021 season with a record of 8-13-0
• North Central lost to Randall University (0-2) in the first round of the NCCAA National Tournament

NEXT

The Sabercats conclude their season with a 4-11-1 record and a 4-1-1 record in the NCCAA North Region. A full recap of the season will be coming at mbusabercats.com.