THE LEAD

WATERTOWN, Wis. -- It took MBU just 18 seconds to score, as early goals from Alexis Sponable and Alyssa Wright lifted the Sabercats to a big win over North Central University on the MBU campus this afternoon.

Not only was it MBU's second straight win, it was a win against one of the most talented NCCAA North Region sides.

THE OVERVIEW

• Result: Maranatha 6-1 North Central
• Venue: Maranatha Baptist University
• Location: Watertown, Wis.
• Attendance: 61
• Records: MBU (2-1-0), NCU (1-2-0)

THE STORY

It seemed that North Central didn't even touch the ball before the Sabercats scored. Hernandez found space on the wing and swung in an inviting cross towards Sponable. Put her head in bravely and nodded it into the near corner from just eight yards away. 1-0 MBU.

The second goal came just seven minutes later. Hannah Evans cut into the Rams' box in the left side and smacked a shot high and towards the near post. The Rams' goalkeeper made a diving save to push the ball off the post, and the rebound went straight to Wright, who nodded it in for her first goal of the season. Right place; right time.

Maranatha kept the ball in North Central's half for a good portion of the first half, but the first-half scoring stopped at Wright's header. MBU held a 2-0 halftime lead.

Jaclyn Dahl broke onto the collegiate scoresheet for the first time with a solo goal in the 49th minute. Dahl used her pace down the left wing to get into the Rams' box, then she fired her shot off the crossbar and in to give the Sabercats a 3-0 lead.

Just five minutes later, Sponable struck again. After a Sabercats' throw in on the right side, Sponable weaved her way into the right side of the Rams' penalty area and smacked a 15-yard strike off the far post and in. Four goals to the good.

Evans turned from provider to finisher with a sensational strike in the 71st minute. Evans collected a loose ball 20 yards away and fired high into the far corner to mark her first collegiate goal in style. Five up.

The Rams pulled one back in the 76th minute when Anna Hartwig took a quick free kick from 30 yards that bounced into the far corner, catching everyone by surprise. It would ultimately be just a consolation goal for the visitors.

The final goal of the game came from Amy Montgomery, who joined the list of student-athletes that scored their first collegiate goal. Montgomery got on the end of a Sarah Bagin cross, and bravely slide-tackled the ball away from the Rams' goalkeeper. Montgomery sprung up to get the loose ball and slipped it in from close range to cap the scoring.

THE SOUND BITE

"Feels good to get back to back wins this week," said Coach Dave Anderson. "After slumping a little in the first half I was glad to see the players kick it into a higher gear. I'm glad for the way we started the game on the front foot. It wasn't always pretty today but we did get the job done, and I think we proved to ourselves that we can create good opportunities. Big props to Jaclyn Dahl and Amy Montgomery for finishing their chances and creating for others. Good to see the youngsters get in on their first collegiate action today! Congrats to Kloth, Nelson, Moore, and Willette on their first appearances as Sabercats."

THE STATS

• Sponable: second straight game with a goal.
• Wright: scored her second career goal.
• Firsts: Evans, Dahl, and Montgomery all scored their first collegiate goals. Evans logged her first career assist.
• Debuts: Sarah Moore, Adalley Kloth, Karissa Nelson, and Makayla Willette all played their first game for Maranatha.
• Hernandez: second assist in two games.
• Series: The Sabercats now hold an all-time record of 8-1-0 against the Rams.

THE OPPONENTS

• The Rams compete in the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference and the NCCAA North Region.
• NCU began the season with a 10-0 win over Mount Mary and a 1-2 loss to Lakeland
• The Rams' only win against Maranatha came in 2012.  

THE OUTLOOK

The Sabercats will host Central College (Iowa) tomorrow at 4:30 p.m. Find details of the game at mbusabercats.com/composite.