ANKENY, Iowa -- After a frantic NCCAA rivalry, one late goal from Faith won the 2023 edition of the Maranatha-Faith rivalry this afternoon, as the hosts sealed their homecoming win at Pyche Field.

James Busenitz delivered the game-winner, looping his shot into the top corner to give Faith their tenth straight win, and their eighth in NCCAA competition.

OVERVIEW

• Result: Maranatha 0-1 Faith
• Venue: Pyche Field - Faith Baptist Bible College
• Location: Ankeny, Iowa 
• Attendance: 71
• Record: MBU (1-11-0), FBBC (10-1-1) 

STORY

The Sabercats looked significantly more dangerous in the opening minutes, as they possessed the ball in Faith's half and created multiple chances. Landon Broere almost provided the opener with a header from a corner kick, but the freshman's nod was denied by the post and the Sabercats were left searching.

The first-half story was all about MBU, but the breakthrough never came against the hard-working Eagles. Maranatha had multiple chances while Faith had two speculative attempts from distance, and at halftime, the score was 0-0.

As the second half developed, Maranatha dominated the chances and possession again, but their efforts on goal were just off the mark.

The game-changing moment came with just five minutes left when Busenitz cut in from the left side and looped a shot into the far corner. The goal brought the big homecoming crowd to their feet, cut the tension that had built for 85 minutes, and gave Faith the killer blow in a rivalry that could've gone either way.

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Maranatha Starters: 00- Balyo, 2- T. Holloway, 3- Doese, 8- Davis (C), 9- Wright, (C), 11- Beachell, 12- Greene, 16- Kirchner, 17- Bishop, 18- Mixell, 19- Miller

STATS

• Shot count: Maranatha 8-12 Faith
• Last time: Maranatha defeated Faith 2-0 on October 8, 2022
• Series: Maranatha leads the all-time series against Faith 11-3-1

OPPONENTS

• Faith competes in the National Christian Collegiate Athletic Association - North Region
• Faith also competes in the Midwest Christian College Conference
• Faith finished the 2022 season with a record of 10-5-2

NEXT

The Sabercats travel to Ripon, Wisconsin to face Ripon College on Tuesday at 7:15 P.M. Follow along at mbusabercats.com/schedule.