DES MOINES, Iowa -- An unstoppable long shot from Hannah Evans with less than two minutes left secured a 1-0 win over North Central today to punch the Sabercats' ticket to the NCCAA North Region Championship.

The thrilling finish means that the Sabercats will once again take on Faith Baptist Bible College tomorrow at 12:00 p.m. Central for the North Region Title and a chance at the return trip to the NCCAA DII National Tournament.

OVERVIEW

• Result: Maranatha 1-0 North Central
• Venue: MidAmerican Energy Company RecPlex
• Location: Des Moines, Iowa
• Event: NCCAA North Region Semifinal
• Attendance: 41
• Record: MBU (4-9-3), NCU (2-12-2)

STORY

Right from the start, the conditions were a factor, as a strong tailwind blew in North Central's favor, keeping the ball in the Sabercats' defensive half for much of the first half. Laura Brown came up with a big save to keep North Central off the scoresheet, but the only thing the Sabercats generated at the other end of the field was a couple of shots - one on goal - from Kseniya Hassenplug. 

Making it into halftime without conceding a goal was big. The Sabercats had their chance to break into the North Central half and put the pressure on their Minnesotan opponents.

And the Sabercats indeed kept the pressure squarely on North Central for most of the second half. Evans sent in a couple of dangerous corner kicks and Hassenplug fired a dangerous shot just over the crossbar, but it looked like overtime was in the cards. North Central had a big chance late in the game, but Brown once again made a key diving save to deny the Rams a likely winner.

Then the moment came. 

Mallory Willette put the ball down to take a corner kick with the clock winding down, but instead of crossing it into the box, she passed it to Evans at the corner of the penalty area - about 25 yards away from the goal. Evans collected the ball, prepared her shot, and fired a laser into the far corner for a knockout blow and a shot worthy of winning any regional semifinal.

���� Hannah Evans.

GAME. ❄️�� pic.twitter.com/qC1ak1IDDZ

— Maranatha Athletics (@MBUSabercats) November 6, 2021

North Central tried to equalize but the damage had been done. Evans would not be denied, and the Sabercats are through to the NCCAA North Region Championship.

 --

MBU Starters: 1- L. Brown, 2- Mak. Willette, 5- Mal. Willette, 6- Warner, 7- Evans (C), 8- Bishop, 12- Moore (C), 16- Vander Pluym, 19- Steuerwald (C), 20- Hassenplug, 22- J. Brown

STATS

• Shots: Maranatha 7-7 North Central
• Shots on Goal: Maranatha 4-2 Faith
• Evans: 1 goal
• Laura Brown: 2 saves
• Last time:  defeated Maranatha 1-0 on September 25
• Series: Maranatha leads the all-time series against Faith 9-3-1

OPPONENTS

• North Central competes in the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (NCAA DIII)
• North Central collected wins this season over Buena Vista University and Crown College

NEXT

The Sabercats will square off against their regional rivals, Faith, tomorrow at 12:00 p.m. for the North Region Crown. Follow along at mbusabercats.com/schedule.