WATERTOWN, Wis. - The goals came fast and furious, and when the dust settled, Maranatha took a 3-6 loss to Lakeland University this afternoon in the Sabercats' 2023 home opener.

Amelia Schroeder scored twice to put Maranatha ahead 2-0, but four unanswered goals from Lakeland fueled the win for the visitors, who continue non-conference play with a 2-1 record after the win.

OVERVIEW

• Result: Maranatha 3-6 Lakeland
• Venue: Maranatha Baptist University
• Location: Watertown, Wis.
• Event: Home Opener
• Attendance: 93
• Record: MBU (0-3-0), LU (2-1-0) 

STORY

Schroeder wasted no time in getting on the scoresheet, as she got on the end of a breakaway and snuck it home with a low show to the left corner to surprise Lakeland, open the scoring, and set the Sabercats off to a flying start.

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The next one came just before the 15-minute mark, as Schroeder found space in the Lakeland box before placing a shot in the right corner over the outstretched arm of the goalkeeper to double the lead. Just like that, the Sabercats were in a rhythm.

But Lakeland soon countered with a rhythm over their own, one that drowned out the opening offer from the Sabercats. Lakeland's relentless pressure finally paid off with back-to-back goals around the 30-minute mark, tying the game up as halftime approached.

Lakeland scored twice more in the second half before the Sabercats could answer again. Maranatha's third goal of the day came from Mallory Willette, who buried a penalty kick in the top corner to make it 3-4 in the 58th minute, but that was the only damage the Sabercats could do for the duration of the game.

Lakeland poured on the pressure all the way to the finish, scoring their sixth and final goal with just 12 seconds left in the game to wrap up the win in a memorable nine-goal battle.

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Maranatha Starters: 0- Dodd, 2- Habegger, 3- Willette, 5- Graham, 8- Bishop (C),  9- Prigge, 11- Schroeder, 12- Clark, 13- Schmidt, 18- Cansler, 20- Herrera

STATS

• Shot Count: Maranatha 5-45 Lakeland
• Schroeder: now leads the Sabercats with three goals
• Habegger: first assist of the season
• Willette: first goal of the season
• Last time: Maranatha fell to Lakeland 0-3 in Plymouth, Wisconsin on September 6, 2022
• Series: Maranatha falls behind in the all-time-series against Lakeland 7-21-1

OPPONENTS

• Lakeland competes in the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference (NCAA-Dlll)
• Lakeland finished the 2022 season with a 5-13-0 record. 

NEXT

The Sabercats travel to Ashland, Wisconsin to face Northland College on Friday at 4:00 p.m. Follow along at mbusabercats.com/schedule.