MORRIS, Minn. – Jake Simson recorded a hat trick and Greg Semsarian scored the game-winning goal in the 83rd minute to lead the University of Jamestown men's soccer team to a dramatic 4-3 comeback victory over the University of Minnesota Morris on Thursday at Cougar Field.

The host Cougars stormed out to an early lead, with Jake Anargyros finding the net just 85 seconds into the match. Aaron Mackall doubled the lead for UMM in the 27th minute, putting the Jimmies in a 2-0 hole.

Jamestown's offense roared to life late in the first half. Jake Simson scored his first goal of the day in the 31st minute, assisted by Felipe Costa, to cut the deficit in half. Simson struck again just before the half, scoring in the 41st off an assist from Jack Greenwood to level the match 2-2 heading into halftime.

Minnesota Morris reclaimed the lead after the break when Mackall scored his second goal of the game in the 57th minute. The score remained 3-2 until Simson completed his hat trick at 66:59, once again assisted by Costa, to tie the game at 3-3. The decisive goal came late, as Semsarian scored what would be the game-winner just under six-and-a-half minutes from full time, with Bennet Driesch providing the assist.

The win was the first for Justin Gilfert as head coach of the Jimmies, who now have won back-to-back season openers for the first time since 2016.

The Jimmies dominated the offensive statistics, out-shooting the Cougars 34-10 overall while also holding a 16-4 advantage in shots on goal. Cougar goalkeeper Nick Isensee had a busy afternoon, recording 12 saves in the loss. Jamestown keeper Dawid Chrobot made one save to earn the win.

With the victory, Jamestown opens its season with a 1-0-0 record, while Minnesota-Morris falls to 1-1-0. UJ returns to the pitch on Saturday in Rapid City, S.D., taking on South Dakota Mines at 12:00 p.m. Central / 11:00 a.m. Mountain.