LAREDO, Texas – Midwestern State waited through a delay of more than an hour due to inclement weather before kicking off its 2022 campaign and got off to a less than stellar start, allowing a goal in the second minute. But the Mustangs rallied to defeat ninth-ranked Colorado Mesa, 3-2, Thursday night in the opening game of the TAMIU Classic at Dustdevil Soccer Field.

Colorado Mesa took the early lead as Joey Joiner scored for the Mavericks in the second minute of the first half. "We had no help clearing the ball, and they kicked it in," Midwestern State head coach Michael Meachum said.

The Mustangs scored the equalizer in the fifth minute of the first half when Omar Boutari chested a ball down in the box and set up Brandon Martinez-Trelles for the first goal of the season. 

Midwestern State capitalized on a free kick in the 28th minute. A ball sent into the box was headed straight up by a Maverick defender, and Gavin Scott, standing in front of the goal, headed the ball past Colorado Mesa goalkeeper Connor Durant to give Midwestern State a lead it would never relinquish. 

"Everyone stopped but Gavin," Meachum said. "We worked hard to get ourselves in position to score two goals." 

Closing in on the one-hour mark, Midwestern State extended its lead. Mere Escobar served the ball in, and Durant took out midfielder Rory Doyle. The ball landed at the feet of Ethan Bonaparte, who did not waste his opportunity to score and gave the Mustangs a 3-1 lead. 

The Mavericks drew within one with 14 seconds remaining as Moises Martinez set up Manuel Ponce Casas for a goal, but Midwestern State held on for the 3-2 victory.

The Mustangs are unbeaten in their last six meetings with Colorado Mesa and lead the all-time series, 6-1-1.

Midwestern State returns to Dustdevil Soccer Field for a matchup with the Regis Rangers on Saturday afternoon at 4 p.m.