GREENWOOD – Brett Jankouskas scored three goals in his first-ever game in a Lander soccer uniform Saturday night to lead the Bearcats to a high-scoring 7-3 non-conference victory over Limestone College.
Lander is 1-0 overall, while Limestone drops to 1-1.
After a six-goal first half ended in a 3-3 tie, Lander broke away for four second-half scores to notch the victory.
Lander regained the lead at 4-3 when Jankouskas scored his second goal of the game on an assist from Zach Acre in the 52nd minute, then he completed his hat trick at 54:29 when his goal off a Matthew Bell throw in gave Lander a 5-3 advantage.
The Bearcats made it 6-3 on a penalty kick from Chris Hobbs at 79:58 and Fred Parker scored the game's final score at 82:21.
Limestone outshot Lander, 15-12, and led in corner kicks, 6-2.
Limestone took a 1-0 lead at 10:22 when Jack Bailey scored on a header in front of the goal, assisted by Sam Orritt.
Lander followed with three unanswered goals to take a 3-1 lead.
Michael Johansson tied the game at 1-1 at 24:37 on an assist from Acree. The Bearcats took a 2-1 lead when Jankouskas scored on his own missed shot in front of the goal at 25:40.
The Bearcats stretched the margin to 3-1 at 30:43 when Matthew Osmond found the back of the net on yet another assist from Acree.
But the Saints bounced right back to score two goals and tie the game at 3-3.
Thomas Keen scored on an assist from Sam Orritt at 36:47, then Bailey netted his second goal of the game on an assist from Thomas Metzemaekers at 41:49.
Lander goalkeeper Matthew Atkinson tallied two saves, while Limestone's HB Lockwood had one.