EUREKA, Ill. -- The Sabercats held the lead until the final minutes this afternoon, but ultimately let the game slip away at Eureka College, losing 2-1 to take their first loss of the season.

Cameron Beachell scored the opening goal with an unforgettable volley in the first half, but the dying goals from the hosts - including a penalty kick with just 2 minutes left, gave them the win on a warm day in Illinois.

OVERVIEW

• Result: Maranatha 1-2 Eureka
• Venue: McKinzie Field, Eureka College
• Location: Eureka, Ill.
• Attendance: 100
• Record: MBU (1-1-1), EC (4-3-1)

STORY
It was all about Eureka in the opening minutes, as the Red Devils piled on the pressure with multiple attempts at the Sabercats' goal. Joe Shank stayed busy, making 5 saves in the opening half alone as Eureka fired off 15 shots.

The breakthrough came in spectacular fashion, as Cameron Beachell made a run into the Eureka penalty area in the 34th minute. Beachell was rewarded by a well-placed throw-in by Clayton Miller, which bounced into the path of Beachell, who launched a volley from the right side of the penalty area into the far corner. It was just as eye-catching as it was surprising, and the Sabercats had the 1-0 lead.
 

Cameron Beachell stop that!! ?? pic.twitter.com/8U2PktAb3i

— Maranatha Athletics (@MBUSabercats) September 16, 2025

The halftime break came and went, and the Sabercats defended well until the 81st minute, when Eureka finally made their breakthrough. Joyce Kabesa grabbed his 8th goal of the season by scoring a deflected shot from the top of the penalty area, and the striker converted an 88th-minute penalty kick to seal the game with the pressure on.

It was "the one that got away" for the Sabercats, who fall to 1-1-1 on the season.
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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 7-25 EC 
• Last time: Maranatha lost to Eureka College 4-5 in the 2024 season.
• Series: Eureka now leads the series 2-1

OPPONENTS

• Eureka College competes in the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (NCAA DIII)
• Eureka College finished the 2024 season with a 3-13-2 record

NEXT

The Sabercats will travel to Lansing, Michigan on Friday to take on Great Lakes at 4:00 PM Eastern. Find the details at mbusabercats.com/schedule.