Box Score KISSIMMEE, Fla. --- The 2016 came to a disappointing ending for the Sabercats, as they lost the same exact way two days in a row: losing 3-4 in penalty shootouts to Randall University after 110 minutes of goalless soccer. The loss marks the end of a growing season for the Sabercats, who finished the year with a 6-9-1 record, which included two losses after overtime.
The Basics
- Result: Sabercats 0-0 Saints (3-4 PK's)
- Venue: Austin-Tindall Regional Park
- Attendance: 62
- Sabercats: finish at 6-9-1 for the year, 1-2-0 in postseason NCCAA play
How it Happened
- The first half yielded a cagey opening, as both teams felt the effects of hard-fought games from the day before. Both Maranatha and Randall fired just three shots in the opening 45 minutes and entered the halftime break in a tie. (0-0 45')
- The second half showed more chances for the Sabercats, and Hannah Anderson kept the Saints at bay when she was called upon, as the senior kept two noteworthy clean sheets over the 220 minutes of the two matches.
- Chances for the Sabercats came near the end of the half, as Audrey Risma was denied from a free kick in the 63rd minute. Then in quick succession, Risma and Julie Roer both had well-struck efforts from inside the box, but were denied on both occasions from the Saints goalkeeper yet again.
- Roer hit the post with just over 10 minutes on the clock, and that was the last chance that the Sabercats had in regulation. For the second day in a row, the 0-0 match was headed to overtime. (0-0 90')
- The overtime period yielded more chances for Randall, but Anderson stayed resolute between the posts and the Sabercats defense - led by seniors Rachel Kibler and Amanda Walton - did enough to prevent the Saints from creating quality chances. After 110 minutes, the match was headed to penalties. (0-0 AOT)
- The shootout for the third-place game was strikingly similar to the semifinal, as the Sabercats ultimately fell 3-4. The Sabercats fielded the same five shooters, and Bethany Chesky shot her penalty low this time, striking it emphatically into the back of the net. Risma and Walton both recreated their successful spot kicks from the day before, as the seniors left their final touches for MBU in the corner of the net.
- After Hannah McCutcheon just missed the bottom corner, the Sabercats saw the advantage tilt to the Saints, who showed aplomb from 12 yards out, making every kick they looked at.
- Alison Hernandez had a penalty kick to keep the Sabercats alive and force the Saints to score, but the sophomore was unfortunate, pounding her well-struck shot off the underside of the crossbar and out. Just like that, the unlikely and discouraging ending transpired: consecutive shootout losses for the Sabercats to end their season (0-0, 3-4 PK's)
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