SAINT PAUL, MINN.—The Hamline University men's soccer team welcomed first-year program UW-Eau Claire to Pat Paterson Field for their 2021 season opener on Wednesday evening. The Blugolds' inaugural game as a program occurred in exciting fashion with an "own goal" in the 109th minute en route to a 4-3 (2OT) victory over the Pipers. This occurred after UW-Eau Claire tied the game 3-3 off Matt Folden's goal with 0:06 left in regulation.

Hamline falls to 0-1 on the season while UW-Eau Claire kicks off the 2021 campaign with a 1-0 record.

UW-Eau Claire 4, Hamline 3

The Pipers stormed to a 3-0 lead in the 34th minute behind goals from Logan Weller, Jude Le, and Robert Cooper. UW-Eau Claire's four unanswered goals included two of the "own goal" variety, as the first one occurred in the 37th minute to narrow the Pipers' lead to 3-1. Carter Thiesfeld cut Hamline's lead to 3-2 with a goal in the 47th minute.

Folden's tally with 0:06 remaining in regulation knotted the game at 3-3, which forced extra soccer. The overtime session went down to the wire as an "own goal" in the 109th minute gave the Blugolds their first win as a program with a 4-3 score.

The Blugolds outshot Hamline 23-11.

Luke Rimington made 10 saves for Hamline, while Jakob Leonard tallied a pair of saves for UW-Eau Claire.

Hamline will host Simpson College on Saturday, September 4 at 3:00 p.m.