BERRIEN SPRINGS, Mich. -- A first-half goal from Landon Broere and a brace from Michael Doese in the second half gave the Sabercats their first win of the season this afternoon, topping Andrews University 3-0.
It was Broere's first goal of the season, and Doese now leads the team with six goals on the year;Â Robbie Lemon added his third assist in two games.
OVERVIEW
- Result: Maranatha 3-0Â Andrews
- Venue: Andrews University
- Location: Berrien Springs, Mich.Â
- Attendance: 71
- Record:Â MBU (1-2-2), AU (0-2-0)Â
STORY
Overall, the Sabercats controlled possession and the scoring chances in the first half. Grant Kirchner hit the post and then hit the crossbar less than a minute later, and when Aaron Jones and Lemon both fired off close-range shots that were denied by the Andrews' goalkeeper, it looked like a frustrating half for the Sabercats.
Enter Landon Broere, who capitalized on a misplay from the Andrews goalkeeper. Broere chased the ball down inside the Cardinals' penalty area and buried a loss ball after the keeper failed to collect it, giving Maranatha the 1-0 lead entering the halftime break.
It was all gas, no brakes out of the halftime team talk for Maranatha, as Doese set the tone early in the second half by stealing the ball from an Andrews defender and dribbling his breakaway around the goalkeeper before finishing calmly into the empty net.
The Sabercats' relentless pressure paid off, as they were determined to cement the win after the Eureka game earlier this week. The third goal came after Lemon won a header at the top of the Andrews' penalty area, knocking a bouncing ball towards Doese, who controlled the ball with his chest before flaring a half-volley into the bottom corner for a three-goal cushion.
From there, the job was to finish the game strong, and the Sabercats did so with minimal trouble. The most dangerous moment came from an Andrews counter-attack, but after
Ian Balyo slowed the shot down as it was sent towards goal,
Grant Brock recovered towards the Sabercats' goal just in the nick of time to send the ball off the goal line, and out of bounds to safety.
--
Maranatha Starters: 00- Balyo, 3- Doese, 5- Jones, 7- Lemon, 8- Davis (C), 11- Beachell, 16- Kirchner, 19- Miller, 20- Holloway (C), 23- Brock, 27- Balyo
STATS
- Official stats: TBA
- Doese: has scored in all three of his games against Andrews
- Doese: now leads the team with six goals
- Broere: first goal of the season
- Lemon: has recorded a goal involvement in every game this season
- Last time: Maranatha and Andrews split the series last year, both teams winning when they played at home
- Series: Maranatha now leads the all-time series 2-1
OPPONENTS
- Andrews competes in the United States Collegiate Athletic Association
- Andrews finished the 2023Â season with a record of 4-5-2
NEXT
The Sabercats travel to Grand Rapids, Michigan, where they will face Kuyper in an NCCAA Midwest Region matchup tomorrow at 12:00 p.m. EDT. Follow along at mbusabercats.com/schedule.
