The MSU men’s soccer team are ranked no. 2 in the LSC conference, Nov. 12. (Stephanie Garcia)
The Mustangs conquered the 2023 Lone Star Conference title for the third year in a row, after a series of decisive victories against Oklahoma Christian University on Friday and Dallas Baptist University on Sunday.
Coach Michael Meachum secured a hard-fought victory in the semifinals against OCU with a penalty kick from business management senior Mere Escobar, ending the game with a final score of 1-0. Escobar finished with an outstanding 17 goals.
The championship final brought together No. 1 seed MSU and No. 6 seed DBU in the fight for the LSC title. The Mustangs prevailed over the Patriots with a crushing 5-0 win.
Maycol Reyes (10) scored the first goal against Dallas Baptist University, Nov. 12. (Stephanie Garcia)
The Mustangs opened the scoreboard with an early goal from sports administration senior Maycol Reyes in the fourth minute. The following four scores came from computer science junior Gabriel Gacovicaj #9, marketing junior Samuele Muroni, exercise physiology junior Liam Pritchard, and a second from Reyes. Reyes’s two winning kicks against DBU brought the him to a career-high of nine goals. He was also given the Most Valuable Player Award for his performance in the LSC Championship.
MSU bettered the program’s previous standings, reaching a historical 17 win-streak and placing their overall winning percentage at a record-breaking .975.
The team’s prolonged season now narrows down to the Regional Championship, which is the next title in sight for the Mustangs. Meachum shared what some of his main goals for the team are as they are preparing for their upcoming matchups.
Liam Pritchard (22) places Midwestern State’s name in the winner’s bracket, Nov. 12. (Stephanie Garcia)
“Obviously, we want the results to go our way every time we play, but the results aren’t who we are, it’s just a byproduct of the game. I think them being prepared mentally and physically and ready to compete every day is what I expect from them,” Meachum said.
The Mustangs will compete in the NCAA Division II Championship, qualifying to the tournament for the 18th time. After taking the first position in conference standings and winning the LSC championship title, No. 2 Midwestern State will take on the competition as the top seed.
The first two opening rounds will be played on MSU home ground on Friday starting at 3:00 p.m., featuring No. 8-seed Fort Lewis (Colo.) and No. 9-seed UC Colorado Springs. The winner will move up the bracket to face the Mustangs on Sunday afternoon for a spot in the third round.
