November 8, 2020

Sabercats Turn the Tide on Eagles in Regional Final

Faith Baptist Bible College

3-7-0

Maranatha Baptist University

5-5-1

Final

Faith Baptist Bible College (3-7-0)

Maranatha Baptist University (5-5-1)

WATERTOWN, Wisconsin—Forty eight hours after the Faith men's soccer team upset the top seeded Maranatha men's team in Watertown, the two women's teams faced off—this with the regional championship and a spot in the national tournament on the line. Faith and Maranatha split the regular season series, with Maranatha winning the first game, and Faith winning the second.

The Eagles had a lot going against them. The Sabercats were playing on their home turf and had revenge on their minds after watching the men's team get upset by Faith on Thursday. It was potentially the final game for their school's all-time leading scorer's career, Alexis Sponable. Maranatha had not been to the NCCAA Division II Women's Soccer National Tournament in four years. The Sabercats were motivated, they were hungry, and they were a step faster to every loose ball.

Faith's defense was tested early and often in the first half as Maranatha attempted four corner kicks and six shots, compared to zero for the Eagles. They only scored once at the 21:24 mark, but it was all they needed as Faith struggled to get anything going in the first half.

The Eagles came out with much more energy in the second half, pushing the ball downfield, which resulted in three shot attempts (two on goal), but Faith was unable to capitalize, and the score ended with a 1-0 win for Maranatha. With the loss, the Eagles finished the season with a 3-6 record in a weird, exhausting season filled with sudden stops and starts and unexpected twists and turns due to the coronavirus. Things still look extremely bright for the program with most of the team projected to return next year.

After the game, four Eagles were named to the All-Region First Team: Karina Fritz, Abby Speichinger, Allison Yuan, and Kristin Yuan. Coach Zack Barron was named the NCCAA Division II North Region Coach of the Year for the second consecutive season.