SEGUIN, Texas – The top-seeded Trinity men's soccer team staged a come-from-behind win in the opening game of the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference Semifinals against Colorado College, thanks in large part to the record-tying performance from first-year Michael Meese (Williamsburg, Va. / Jamestown).

Meese scored four goals to tie the TU Tiger school record for a single game, and is the first player with that total since Patrick Floeck scored four times against Birmingham-Southern College (AL) in 2008.

Meese scored twice in each half, including two goals in the final 77 seconds of the first period to bring Trinity level with Colorado College at 2-2. He netted the eventual game-winner on his third consecutive goal just over seven minutes into the second half, then etched his name in the record books with a fourth goal in the final 15 minutes.

Trinity faced a two-goal deficit with just under 15 minutes to play in the opening period as Colorado College shocked the nation's #2 team by controlling the action for the first 40-plus minutes of the game. The shock turned quickly to awe as Trinity countered with six unanswered goals to advance to the SCAC Championship game.

The Rundown

Colorado College was in command of the game for nearly the entire first half, scoring the opening goal in the 21st minute, and then taking a 2-0 lead just over 10 minutes later.

Meese notched his first score on an assist from Philip Duenez (San Antonio, Texas / Stevens) with just 1:17 remaining until halftime. The TU Tigers kept up the pressure and Meese found the back of the net again with just 22 seconds left in the period. This time it was an assist from Chen Adjei (Euless, Texas / Trinity) that helped send the game to halftime in a 2-2 tie.

The scoring continued early in the second half as Meese found his third straight score in the 53rd minute to tally his first career hat trick with the Tigers.

Joseph Kuri (San Antonio, Texas / TMI Episcopal) made it a two-goal advantage for Trinity just over four minutes later, as Jesus Veloz (Dallas, Texas / Lone Star) crossed the ball in for the assist.

Trinity had stolen all the momentum in the game and was now firmly in control, dominating possession. Colorado College managed just four total shots in the second half and only two following the goal by Kuri.

Meese tied the school record with a goal in the 77th minute that put Trinity on top 5-2, benefitting from another assist by Adjei. That score came just minutes after Colorado College's only on-target shot of the second half was saved by Juan Carlos Vidales (Laredo, Texas / IMG Academy).

Trinity continued to apply pressure up until the end and Fraser Burns (Dalry, Scotland / Galrock Academy) drew a foul in the box with just over five minutes left in the game. Burns initially looked to take the penalty himself, but gave way to his goalkeeper. Vidales buried the PK for his first career goal and a 6-2 Trinity lead.

Numbers to Note

Meese is the eighth player in Trinity history to score four goals in a game, and today's achievement marks the 11th time a Tiger player has set or equaled the record. He has now scored 15 goals in 13 games this season, including three game-winners.

Adjei added two assists to his season total to become the fourth player this season to record five or more on the year. Kuri tallied his third goal of the year, while Veloz now has a pair of assists.

Up Next

Trinity advances to the SCAC Championship game on Sunday, November 7, and will face the winner of tonight's second semifinal between the University of St. Thomas and Southwestern University.