LEBANON, Tenn. (August 29, 2014) â€" Jonathan Colson matched his preseason scoring production Friday night against Cumberland University, recording a hat trick in the Milligan College men's soccer team's season-opening 4-2 win.
 
"It was a great effort today," Head Coach Adam Laney said. "The men put in some hard work and stayed defensively organized for most of the game. The challenge now is to be consistent and give the same performance every day."
 
Milligan (1-0) fell behind early, surrendering a goal in the ninth minute of action but answered with Colson's first of three, a header following a throw-in less than one minute after Cumberlands had taken the lead. The Buffaloes then found the back of the net three more times in a span of 15 minutes starting late in the first half to put the game out of reach.
 
Tapiwa Kaseke scored the eventual game-winner in the 41st minute, putting Milligan up 2-1 after beating Cumberland goalkeeper Ian Hamilton on a one-on-one. Jesse Ramoya was credited with the assist.
 
Colson registered his second and third goals in the 51st and 55th minute, with Calvin Mangunda and Lewis Grant assisting the former on a corner kick.
 
Milligan outshot Cumberland 14-12, including 7-6 on shots on goals. Goalkeepers Hamilton and Dan Ball recorded three saves apiece.
 
Milligan returns to the same pitch Saturday morning to face Lyon College out of Arkansas. Game time has been moved to 11 a.m. ET in order to avoid potential rain. Milligan will be back home to Anglin Field on Monday, Sept. 8 for the home opener against No. 22 Bethel.