MSU’s Striker Mere Escobar Makes History with Record-Breaking 59th Goal against ST. Edwards in his last season with the Mustangs.
Midwestern State University Striker Mere Escobar etched his name into program history on Nov. 15th, 2024, breaking the all-time goal-scoring record in the Mustangs 3-1 victory over St. Edward’s in the Lone Star Conference semifinal.
Escobar’s 86th-minute strike not only sealed the game, but also marked his 59th career goal, surpassing the previous record held by Alvin Alexander and Kris Henderson.
Escobar’s milestone goal was his 15th goal of the season, showcasing remarkable consistency during his time at MSU. Reflecting on the achievement, Escobar remained humble, attributing his success to a team-first mindset.
“Throughout my career at MSU, I never really focused on breaking scoring or points records. I just wanted to do what’s best for my team. When I hit 50 goals, I started to think it was a possibility, but I believe my parents wanted it more than I did,” Escobar said.
Looking back on his time at MSU, Escobar credited key challenges and his father’s influence for shaping his career.
“Not playing much as a freshman and being benched during my sophomore year were pivotal moments. They motivated me to work harder. My biggest influence has always been my father. He believed in me from the start and inspired my playing style and determination,” Escobar said.
The journey to this record-breaking moment spanned four years, with Escobar’s career marked by growth and hard work.
“It took me four falls [semesters] and a spring [semester] to get to 60 goals and break the record,” Escobar said. “Looking back, it was just a lot of hard work. My first two to three years, I wasn’t thinking about scoring, I just wanted to play. But things worked out for me, and when I knew it was a possibility, I went for it.”
The record-setting goal came in dramatic fashion, with the Mustangs leading St. Edward’s 2-1 late in the game. Escobar’s strike not only secured MSU’s spot in the final, but also avenged a previous 5-0 loss to the same opponent early in the season.
“I was very happy when I scored the goal, mostly because it was a 2-1 game in a semifinal against St. Edward’s. Cooper [Tea] told me it was the record breaker, and it was just happiness released. But mostly, I was glad that my goal could help the team reach the final,” Escobar said.
Despite his individual accomplishments, Escobar lamented their elimination in the championship, as his ultimate goal was to win the national tournament in his final season with the Mustangs.
“It was a tough loss. My goal was to win the national tournament, not break a scoring record. Obviously, I’m still grateful for it, but I’m just gutted that we couldn’t reach the ultimate goal. At a certain level, you can’t afford mistakes. We made mistakes and got punished, but there’s no regret—we left it all on the field,” Escobar said.
Although the Mustangs fell short of a national title, Escobar’s dreams extend beyond Stangs Park as he looks ahead to continuing his soccer journey professionally.
“It’s been my dream since I was just a young boy, and my family’s dream too. Hopefully, I can sign with a professional team in the U.S., whether it’s the USL Championship or USL League One,” Escobar said.
Escobar leaves behind a legacy at MSU, with his record standing as a testament to his skill and ambition.
“It feels great to have left this mark on the program. I just want to be remembered as someone who was friendly off the pitch but gave everything on it. Unfortunately, we never achieved the national title, but I know the program will continue to grow and achieve great things,” Escobar concluded.
As Escobar closes his collegiate career, his contributions to MSU soccer will not be forgotten. His record-breaking feat serves as an inspiration to future Mustangs as well as a reminder of what can be achieved with determination and teamwork.
