THE OVERVIEW

• Result: Maranatha 1-3 North Central
• Venue: Parade Stadium, Minneapolis
• Attendance: 50
• Record: Sabercats are now 7-8
• Next Game for MBU: Saturday, October 21 at 1 p.m. at Bethany Lutheran

THE LEAD

MINNEAPOLIS -- In a rematch of the 2016 NCCAA regional semifinal, a second-half goal from Brett Cournoyer was not enough to seal a win over North Central University.

A penalty-kick goal from the senior made the game 2-1 in the second half, but the Rams scored again late to seal a 3-1 win.

THE STORY

North Central looked dangerous early on, and they found the breakthrough just 12 minutes in when Kaleb Smith made the most of an open shot from the top of the penalty area. Smith's shot bounced into the bottom corner to give the hosts the 1-0 lead.

Kevin Risma almost pulled one back for the Sabercats. After a Steven Thompson cross came into the box, Risma fired a low shot to the near post that went under the diving goalkeeper. Only the post kept Risma and the Sabercats off the board.

North Central went the other way and extended their lead to 2, when Chris Parker scored a header from a right-wing cross. The lead would remain at 2 entering halftime.

The Sabercats threatened the Rams' goal early in the second half, and after Daniel Kroll drew a foul inside the Rams' penalty area, Cournoyer made no mistake from the penalty spot, as he drilled his kick into the back of the net to give the Sabercats a lifeline.

The Sabercats' search for revenge from last year's loss was put on further hold, though. North Central exploited the holes in the Sabercats' high-pressing defense, and Smith once again scored with a shot from outside of the box that found the lower corner.

From there, the Rams closed out the win, which was their third consecutive win over the Sabercats.

THE NUMBERS

Taylor made 6 saves in the loss.

The Rams held a 14-7 advantage in the shots category.

The goal for Cournoyer was his 3rd this season and the 15th of his career.

THE CALENDAR

The Sabercats will host Lawrence University Tuesday at 3:30 p.m. in the final game of the regular season. Catch the details at mbusabercats.com/composite.