ANKENY, Iowa -- It was a fight all the way to the finish, but the Faith Eagles took home a 1-0 win in the Sabercats' first North Region clash of the 2021 season.

Karina Fritz scored the lone goal in the game, connecting in the 80th minute for a dramatic late winner. The loss was the Sabercats' second in as many days.

OVERVIEW

• Result: Maranatha 0-1 Faith
• Venue: Pyche Field, Faith Baptist Bible College
• Location: Ankeny, Iowa
• Attendance: 119
• Record: MBU (1-4-1), FBBC (1-3-1)

STORY

The entire contest was hard-fought and physical, as neither team showed signs of backing off or slowing down in the contest. Faith tested Laura Brown 3 times in the first half, but Brown made the save every time, adding a couple of stops on would-be breakaways. 

Going into the half, it was 0-0, but Faith looked to be the more threatening team. The Sabercats had started to slow after their game the day before. 

Faith got what was coming to them, so it seemed, as their relentless pressure resulted in a goal in the 80th minute. Karina Fritz made the difference for the hosts, and her goal would stand until the final whistle.

The Sabercats persisted with their pressure, but they could never find the space for a quality chance on goal. Faith's defense proved to be a key difference-maker, and time will show the role it will play come the end of the season and the North Region Tournament.

Post game prayer with @fbbceagles �� pic.twitter.com/5k0VvK62O8

— Maranatha Athletics (@MBUSabercats) September 25, 2021

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MBU Starters: 1- L. Brown, 2- Mak. Willette, 6- Warner, 7- Evans (C), 8- Bishop, 11- Torres, 12- Moore (C), 13- Schmidt, 16- Vander Pluym, 19- Steuerwald (C), 22- J. Brown

STATS

• Shot count: Maranatha 0-11 Faith
• Laura Brown: 6 saves
• Last time: Maranatha defeated Faith 1-0 in the 2020 North Region Championship
• Series: Maranatha leads the all-time series against Faith 9-3

OPPONENTS

• Faith competes with the Sabercats in the NCCAA North Region
• Faith competes in the Midwest Christian College Conference
• Faith competes with Maranatha in the NCCAA DII North Region

NEXT

The Sabercats go to Michigan next Friday to match up with Great Lakes Christian at 4:00 p.m. Details at mbusabercats.com/schedule.