Alexis Sponable scored the only goal of the match in the 83rd minute for Maranatha Baptist University and the Lakeland University women's soccer team dropped a 1-0 decision on a muggy Monday night at John Taylor Memorial Field.

The Muskies played a third straight close match in four days but were held scoreless for the second straight match. Lakeland dropped to 1-1-1 overall with the Sabercats earning the win in a match originally scheduled to be played on their home field before it was moved to the Muskies' home due to heavy rains in Watertown.

Sponable scored the winner off a nice pass through the defense from the right side by Bethany Chesky. Sponable-who scored 16 goals a year ago-got to Chesky's pass just before Lakeland goalkeeper Erin Tomlinson (Fr.-Madison, Wis.) could corral it, poking it through the keeper's legs and into the box, where she got to it and had an open net to score with 7:40 left in regulation.

The Muskies pushed forward in the final minutes and got off four shots in the final five minutes, but like much of the night were unable to kept from a prime opportunity in the middle of the field. The only of those four shots to be on goal came from freshman Tracey Sery (Big Bend, Wis.) from the right side of the penalty area but was stopped by Maranatha keeper Hannah Wells with just over three minutes left.

The Muskies outshot the Sabercats 20-11 for the match, though it was the guests with several golden opportunities as the second half went on. Maranatha's Alison Hernandez twice got behind the defense for a one-on-one with the goalkeeper, but Tomlinson smothered the first shot and also saved the second one after Hope Cerney (So.-Green Bay, Wis.) hustled back to challenge Hernandez just before she got off a shot.

Lakeland carried play most of the first half, with a 6-0 edge in shots on goal. Jenna Borts (So.-Oak Creek, Wis.) repeatedly unleashed hard shots on Wells, and Zeni Yacab (Jr.-Chicago, Ill.) also ran onto an attempt in the 32nd minute that Wells had to spear.

Wells made 11 saves in the match to earn the shutout, while Tomlinson saved four shots for the Muskies. Nine of the 12 field players to get on the pitch for Lakeland recorded at least one shot, led by Borts with eight shot attempts (four on goal).

The Muskies return to action Friday when they host Rockford University at 7 p.m. at Taylor Field.