Match Preview: Faith Men's Soccer vs. Maranatha
Week 6: #6 Faith (6-0-1) vs. #10 Maranatha Baptist University (5-2-1) |
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| Match 8: Maranatha |
Saturday, Oct. 4 | 3:00 p.m. CT | Maranatha Baptist University | Watertown, WI |
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| Live Stats: |
>Stats< |
Ankeny, IA -- Faith men's soccer is set for a road test as they take on #10 Maranatha. Saturday's match will take place in Watertown, WI at 3:00 p.m. CT.
LAST TIME OUT
The Eagles had a thrilling come from behind victory against MCCC opponent Ozark Christian College, taking a 3-2 win at home.
TOP TEN
Faith men's soccer earned a spot in the National Rankings on September 23rd, marking their first time breaking into the top ten since September 14th, 2021. Ranked at #6, the Eagles received their highest spot in the coaches poll since December of 2015.
TOP OF THE CONFERENCE
With wins over Barclay and Emmaus, the Eagles are currently 3-0-0 in MCCC play and are #1 in the Conference heading into week five of the season.
GROOVY GOALKEEPERS
The Eagles have posted four shutouts in 2025 so far. Enzo Pileggi snagged two saves in his first clean sheet of the season against Barclay (9/12), and Zeke Denger recorded 4 saves on his way to his first career clean sheet against Emmaus (9/16). The Keepers split time against both Union and Calvary to bring the team's shutout count to four.
FIRST GOAL
Austin Lundberg scored the first goal of the year for the Eagles, marking his first career goal in the process.
FAITH NOTES
- Faith finished the 2024 season with an 7-13-1 record, finishing their season in the North Region tournament semifinals.
- The Eagles return over half of their offensive output from the 2024 season, with 55% (22/40) of the team's goals and 53% (17/32) of its assists.
- Faith competed in one preseason scrimmage against North Central, allowing them to test new roles and lineups before the season began.
- The Eagles return 10 members from the 2024 squad, seven of which started double-digit matches in 2024; Andre Quintana (18), Enzo Pileggi (18), Parker Lundberg (17), Zachary Choi (15), Grant Busenitz (15), Kevin Richardson (14), and Carter Whitcher (12).
NEW FACES
The Eagles men's soccer program and head coach Gary Backous welcome 15 newcomers to the 2025 roster. The new additions look to have an immediate impact in every area of the field.
SCOUTING THE SABERCATS
The Sabercats are on the rise in the NCCAA standings, coming into Saturday's match on a 3 game win streak. The Sabercats took wins in both 2024 matches, finding 3-0 victories both at home and on the road.
