ODESSA, Texas – Mere Escobar's first collegiate hat trick fueled Midwestern State's 4-0 win over UT Permian Basin Tuesday night at the UTPB Soccer Field.

The freshman from Austin scored each of three goals in the second half to sent the Mustangs to their second straight win improving to 5-2-1 overall and 4-2-1 in Lone Star Conference play.

Escobar delivered MSU's first hat trick since former All-American Pierre Bocquet completed the task at St. Mary's in 2017. Ironically, he is the third player in MSU program history to score three goals against the Falcons in Odessa joining Chris Dwyer (2011) and Thomas Parides (2014).

Senior Julian Barajas tallied the opener in the fourth minute for the strong starting Mustangs.

"It was a really good team goal," MSU coach Michael Meachum said. "We had good passing leading up to it and Julian put it in."

The home side found their way with Gustavo Barroso putting up two shots with one forcing Taylor Lampe into a save. Chance Arney took a chance and Permian Basin grabbed their first corner of the game at 9:32.

MSU's leading scorer, Trevor Amann, attempted to put one past but Alfonso Aragon made the save in the 16th minute. Amann tried again in at 23:26 and Aragon denied the second chance.

The visitors recorded a season-high 16 shots in the first half with 11 different players contributing one or more shots to the total. The Falcons' keeper made eight saves and allowed only one goal to keep his team in competition.

Lampe registered two total saves for the Mustangs and allowed only one corner for the half.

UTPB started the second with a booking to Victor Radilla only a minute and 10 seconds in.

Escobar tallied his second and third goals for Midwestern State in the second period. The freshman put the first in at 56:39 unassisted. The team's third goal saw Flores bag his second assist and Escobar with his second notch. MSU was riding with less than 23 minutes to play.

Matias Pereira and Adam Conway picked up twin yellows in the 69th minute. Amann added to the list with one at 73:13 and Salvador Vargas Ramos received his at 75:01.

Taylor Lampe and Victor Rubio Lopez were given cards as well as Brandon Bernal.

Escobar picked up his final goal of the game in the 89th minute to seal the win for Midwestern State. He completes the third hat trick accomplished in Odessa by a Mustang. The last time a men's soccer player had three goals in one game was back in 2017.

"Mere's second and third goals showed his composure when finding the back of the net," said Meachum.

The visiting side finished with 23 total shots, second most for the year, and had eight corners. Lampe gained his first shutout of 2021 and 27th in his career. UT Permian Basin put up nine total shots with ten saves and two corner kicks.

MSU will conclude the spring season at home in Stang Park. The Tuesday, April 6, match against West Texas A&M will commence at 5:30 p.m. in Wichita Falls, Texas. The final game will serve as Senior Night for the team.