THE OVERVIEW

• Result: Maranatha 1-0 North Central
• Venue: Parade Stadium, Minneapolis
• Attendance: 35
• Record: Sabercats are now 6-6-1
• Next Game for MBU: Saturday, October 21 at 11 a.m. at Bethany Lutheran

THE LEAD

MINNEAPOLIS -- The Sabercats sealed their third win in as many games today thanks to an in-form freshman who broke into the record books.

A 61st-minute strike from Alexis Sponable secured the 1-0 win over North Central, and with the goal, Sponable now ranks 7th all-time for goals in a season (16) in MBU program history.*

THE STORY

It was an even and wind-swept game for the first half, and the hosts looked the most menacing. NCU fired 10 shots at Hannah Anderson's goal, but the All-American goalkeeper teamed up with a tight Sabercats' back line to keep the sheet clean.

Sponable's goal came just after the hour mark. A precise pass from Alison Hernandez split the gap in the Rams' back line, and Sponable ran on to it and found herself in the NCU penalty area. From there, Sponable fired her shot into the roof of the net to give the Sabercats the 1-0 advantage.

The defense did the rest for MBU, as Anderson backed up a hard-working defense with 6 saves on the day. The shutout was Anderson's fourth on the season.

With the win, the Sabercats remain undefeated in their last 5 games and hold a record of 3-0-1 in NCCAA DII play this season.

THE NUMBERS

Sponable has now scored 16 goals in 13 games this season.

Sponable has now scored in 5 consecutive games and has registered 11 goals in that stretch.

Alyssa Wright fired 2 shots on goal. Hernandez and McKenna Hendrickson both added one shot on frame.

The Rams out-shot the Sabercats, 14-11. 

THE SOUND BITE

"Today we proved to ourselves that we don't need to dominate possession to win a game," said Coach Dave Anderson. "I was excited to see how the girls kept their composure. I'm also glad to see the improvement within the North Central side. Full compliments to the NCU coaching staff and players. It's great to see more competitive matches in the North region."

THE CALENDAR

The Sabercats stay in Minnesota to take on Bethany Lutheran College Saturday, Oct. 21 at 11 a.m. The kick-off time has been adjusted due to impending weather. Catch the details at mbusabercats.com/composite.

*program records date back to the 2003 season.