WATERTOWN, Wis. -- An early goal from Grant Brock and a last-gasp equalizer from Pedro Ribeiro rescued a 2-2 tie today against the fifth-ranked Grace Christian University Tigers in a chilly Midwest Region Classic at MBU.
With the tie, the Sabercats move to 4-1-1 in NCCAA Midwest Region competition this season and will set their sights on next weekend's NCCAA Midwest Region Title and the ticket to NCCAA Nationals that comes with it.
OVERVIEW
- Result: (RV) Maranatha 2-2 No. 5 Grace
- Venue: Maranatha Baptist University
- Location: Watertown, Wis.
- Attendance: 105
- Record:Â MBU (7-5-3), GCUÂ (8-6-3)
STORY
Brock finally broke through for the opening goal around the 25-minute mark, scoring his first of the season after cleaning up a loose ball in the box from an Aaron Jones free kick. Maranatha continued to keep the pressure on, hitting the post on a following possession before taking a 1-0 lead into the halftime break.
Grace Christian quickly answered with 2 goals in a 10-minute span, setting up a thrilling final 10 minutes. With the game on the line, Joseph Greene teased an inviting through pass behind the Tigers' back line to Ribeiro, who touched it to his right before slotting it past the Grace goalkeeper to tie the game up with just over 100 seconds on the clock.
The tie is the final Midwest Region regular-season game before next weekend's NCCAA Midwest Region Tournament, set for Friday-Saturday in Lansing, Michigan at Great Lakes Christian College (READ MORE).
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Maranatha Starters: 1- Shank, 5- Jones (C), 6- Johnson, 7- Lemon, 8- M. Ribeiro, 10- P. Ribeiro, 11- Ca. Beachell (C), 12- Greene (C), 14- Cl. Beachell, 17- Bishop, 23- Brock
STATS
- Shot count: Maranatha 14-15 Grace
- Ribeiro: now leads Maranatha with 7 goals and 15 points
- Last time: The Tigers won 1-0Â on their turf earlier this season
- Series: The Sabercats trail in the all-time series 6-10-1
OPPONENTS
- Grace competes with Maranatha in the Midwest Conference (NCCAA DII)
- Grace finished the 2024Â season with a record of 11-8-3
NEXT
The Sabercats travel to Lansing, Mich. for NCCAA DII Regionals next Friday and Saturday. Follow along at mbusabercats.com/schedule.
