THE LEAD

CARLINVILLE, Ill. -- Alexis Sponable needed just a seven-minute window to score her fourth career hat-trick and give MBU a decisive 3-1 win over Blackburn this afternoon.

The hat-trick is Sponable's fourth in her career, and the sophomore forward is closing in on 50 career points.

THE OVERVIEW

• Result: Maranatha 3-1 Blackburn
• Venue: Blackburn College
• Location: Carlinville, Ill.
• Attendance: 100
• Records: MBU (3-3-0), BC (0-7-0)

THE STORY

The Sabercats had their chances in the early minutes, but it took them over 22 minutes to test the Blackburn keeper. The test came from the foot of Kim Grogan, whose on-frame attempt was denied by Blackburn's Anicc Mackay-Slavin.

The next time Mackay-Slavin saw a shot on net, she wasn't so lucky.

Actually, make that the next three times. Sponable found space on three separate occasions to net what is probably the fastest hat-trick in program history. Sponable created the goals herself, as all three were unassisted. The first came from near the penalty spot after Sponable pounced on a missed clearance and made no mistake from 12 yards out.

The second came from a free kick, as Sponable showed her versatility by inserting a dead ball into the upper 90 from outside the penalty area.

The third came from a similar spot, but this one was from the run of play, as Sponable beat a defender 30 yards away from the goal, and finished from about 22 yards away into the right side-netting.

The Michigander finished the afternoon with seven shots, five of which were goal-bound. 

It took Blackburn a while to regain their composure after the Sponable spree, as the Beavers waited until the second half to provide a reply. But when Adriana Darow set up Jasmine Tillman for the goal, it proved to be a consolation goal only. It was one of six shots on target for Blackburn, as Hannah Wells finished the afternoon with five saves to secure the win.

THE STATS

• Sponable: Fourth career hat-trick, second game with multiple goals this season.
• Sponable: Now has 45 career points (needs 52 to land inside MBU career top 10)
• Sponable: Now has 22 career goals, which lands her ninth all-time in program history*
• Shot count: MBU 20-11 BC
• Jaclyn Dahl: fired 7 shots on the day
• Series: The series now stands at 1-0 for MBU

THE SOUND BITE

"Thankful to pull out a victory on a windy day and a bumpy field," said Coach Dave Anderson. "We were able to shake off a sluggish start to start producing dangerous chances toward the end of the first half. Sponnie took her chances well, so good for her. We look forward to another great test tomorrow against a fast and dangerous side in Greenville."

THE OPPONENTS

• The Beavers belong to the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SLIAC)
• Blackburn has yet to begin conference play
• The only shared opponent between MBU and BC has been Lakeland University. Lakeland defeated Blackburn on Sunday, 3-0

THE OUTLOOK

The Sabercats will stay in the St. Louis area to face Greenville University tomorrow at 3:00 p.m. Follow live at mbusabercats.com/composite.

*Records are compiled based on recorded information and may be subject to omissions.