ROCKFORD, Ill. -- Thanks to two memorable goals from
Pedro Ribeiro and
Matheus Ribeiro, and some late-game heroics from goalkeeper
Joe Shank, the Sabercats have locked up their first win of the 2025 season, topping Rockford University 2-1 on the road.
This was the first time since 2013 that the Sabercats have beaten the Regents, marking their first game on the road in style.
OVERVIEW
- Result: Maranatha 2-1 Rockford
- Venue: Rockford University
- Location: Rockford, Ill.
- Attendance: 98
- Record: MBU (1-0-1), RU (1-3-1)
STORY
The Sabercats were the more dangerous team in the opening exchanges, creating multiple chances to score the opener. Maranatha would fire 11 shots to the Regents' 4 in the opening half, dominating possession, but not the scoreline. The Regents broke through in the 23rd minute courtesy of Rejhan Jakupi, and it took Maranatha almost 20 minutes to reply, but the reply was mesmerizing.
Pedro Ribeiro gathered the ball about 30 yards from the Sabercats' defensive goal, and proceeded to weave his way through the Regents defenders, shaking off pressure time and time again before cutting to the inside of the Regents' penalty area and punching a shot into the lower-left corner.
Going into halftime, Ribeiro's goal gave the Sabercats a surge of momentum and evened out the score at 1-1.
The second half was back and forth, as both teams traded chances. Matheus Ribeiro broke the deadlock in the 61st minute, cutting to his left foot from outside the penalty area before firing a shot into the lower-left corner. 2-1.
The closing minutes brought opportunities for Rockford, but each time, Joe Shank and the Sabercats' defense withstood the onslaught. Shank made three crucial saves in the second half, and snatched the ball from a Rockford striker before he could take a shot on a breakaway. Fittingly, Shank made his final save in the dying seconds of the game, marking the last significant action of the 2-1 win - the first of the season for the Sabercats.
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Maranatha Starters: 1- Shank, 5 - Jones (C), 6 - Johnson, 7- Lemon, 8- Ribeiro, 10 - Ribeiro, 11- Ca. Beachell (C), 12- Greene (C), 13 - Donovan, 14- Cl. Beachell, 19- Miller
STATS
- Shot count: MBU 14-10 RU
- Last time: Maranatha lost to Rockford University 0-4 in the 2018 season.
- Series: Maranatha now leads the all-time series against Rockford University 5-4-1
OPPONENTS
- Rockford University competes in the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference (NACC)
- Rockford University finished the 2024 season with a 3-13-1 record
NEXT
The Sabercats will travel to Eureka, Illinois next Tuesday to take on Eureka College at 4:00 PM. Find the details at mbusabercats.com/schedule.
