WATERTOWN, Wis. -- The Sabercats were simply outmatched by the Lawrence Vikings on Saturday, dropping the season-opener 3-0.

Despite the loss, rookie goalkeeper Laura Brown posted 17 saves in her first career start, while the defense improved throughout the match.

OVERVIEW

• Result: Maranatha 0-3 Lawrence
• Venue: Maranatha Baptist University
• Location: Watertown, Wis.
• Attendance: 59
• Record: MBU (0-1-0), LU (6-1-0)

STORY

The Sabercats began their season against the surging Lawrence team, and that surge showed. Within the first thirty seconds, Lawrence had taken advantage of the inexperienced defense and taken a 1-0 lead. The defense began to improve throughout the half, but Lawrence was able to get through once more before halftime and widen the gap to 2-0. After re-energizing at the half, they came back onto the field and held the Vikings scoreless until the final minute, when they broke through the young defense one more time to make the lead 3-0, which would hold for the final minute.

Despite the season-opening loss, the young Sabercats performed well. Defenders Becca Riley and Taylor Warner made key stops and placed themselves in the perfect spots for stops often throughout the match. Angel Steuerwald came up with several huge takeaways to bolster the younger defenders around her. Seniors Sarah Moore and Hannah Evans provided solid guidance and well-placed passes for the forwards in front of them. Rookie goalkeeper Laura Brown, making her first career start between the pipes, stood firm against the Lawrence onslaught and made 17 saves, diving for several of them.

MBU Starters: 1- L. Brown, 2- Willette, 5- Willette, 6- Warner, 7- Evans (C), 8- Bishop, 9- Riley, 12- Moore (C), 13- Schmidt, 19- Steuerwald (C), 22- J. Brown

STATS

• Shot count: Maranatha 2-31 Lawrence
• Laura Brown: 17 saves
• Moore: first game since 2019 season
• Last time: Lawrence took the previous contest with Maranatha 5-0 in 2019
• Series: Lawrence now leads the all-time series 4-0

OPPONENTS

• Lawrence University competes regionally in the Midwest Conference (NCAA DIII)
• Lawrence did not compete in 2020 due to COVID-19

NEXT

The Sabercats head to Ripon on Tuesday to take on Ripon College at 4:00 p.m. Catch it at mbusabercats.com/schedule.