EAU CLAIRE, WIS.—The 2022 season opener pitted the Hamline University men's soccer team at second-year varsity program UW-Eau Claire on Thursday night. The Pipers couldn't avenge the Blugolds from last season's opener as they dropped a 4-2 decision.

Hamline falls to 0-1, while UW-Eau Claire begins the season 1-0.

UW-Eau Claire 4, Hamline 2

The Blugolds converted their second shot of the game behind Nathan Donovan's tally in the third minute that made the score 1-0. The Pipers possessed the ball for a majority of the next 11 minutes, which included a 3-0 edge in shots. It culminated in Cole Brennan's goal in the 14th minute that knotted things at 1-1.

That proved to be Hamline's final shot of the first half, while the Blugolds mustered three that included Max Lynch's goal that gave his team a 2-1 edge in the 23rd minute. A Pipers yellow card in the 61st minute set up UW-Eau Claire's score in the 61st minute behind Sam Lynch that made things 3-1. Logan Weller got that back for Hamline in the 71st minute when his penalty kick narrowed the score to 3-2.

Eau Claire outshot Hamline 4-1 from that point. This resulted in Cooper Roberts' goal in the 76th minute that pushed the Blugolds' lead to 4-2.

UW-Eau Claire outshot Hamline 10-9. The Pipers were victim of three-of-four yellow cards in the contest. Luke Rimington made three saves in net for Hamline, while Spencer Banks and Mark Belknap combined for six stops in the game for the Blugolds.

The Pipers will return to action on Saturday, September 3, when they host Bethany Lutheran at 1 p.m.