NAMPA, ID – The University of Jamestown men’s soccer team faced a challenging end to their 2025 season, losing 6–3 to Northwest Nazarene University on November 5 at NNU Soccer Field in Nampa, Idaho. Despite the outcome, the Jimmies displayed grit and had moments of brilliance throughout the match.
NNU took the lead midway through the first half with back-to-back goals from Rylan McPherson and Baraka Dayi in the 17th minute. They added another goal shortly after from Derek Johnson, putting Jamestown down 3–0. The Jimmies fought back in the 35th minute when Kael Calder scored from an assist by Tom Nicholls, bringing the score to 3–1. However, NNU answered with two more goals before halftime, leaving Jamestown trailing 5–1 at the break.
In the second half, Jamestown revived their spirit. Just three minutes in, Jake Simson found the net, bringing the score to 5–2. Jamestown kept pushing, while goalkeeper Valon Ismaili made several crucial saves to prevent NNU from extending their lead. NNU managed to add one more goal in the 73rd minute from Dayi, but Jamestown wasn’t done yet. In the 87th minute, Greg Semsarian scored after a setup from Simson, wrapping up the game’s scoring at 6–3.
Ismaili had a commendable performance with five saves, facing 22 shots. Jamestown recorded a total of 12 shots, with seven on target. The entire team contributed, including Felipe Costa, Justin Junaid, and Conner Warren, showcasing their determination in the final game.
This match highlights an important trend in college soccer where the gap between teams can be slim, yet competitive spirit shines through. According to a recent NCAA report, over 40% of men’s soccer games are decided by one goal. This statistic exemplifies how teams like Jamestown can turn a game around despite a tough scoreline. Such resilience is vital in sports, teaching players to rise even after setbacks.
In summary, while the Jimmies did not achieve victory, their spirit and effort throughout the game reflected the heart of college athletics.
