POCATELLO, Idaho – Sophomore Aileen Galicia put on an offensive clinic against Idaho State on Sunday, recording her first-career hat-trick to pace the New Mexico State women's soccer team past the Bengals, 3-0, at Davis Field.
 
"Very proud of our team," said head coach Freddy Delgado. "Today's was a big step for us. It was a good win versus a good opponent who put a lot of pressure on us. It was a very hostile and tough environment, but we stuck together and got a very hard fought win."
 
Galicia helped NM State (2-6-0) flip the script against ISU (3-5-0) on Sunday after she fired in her third goal of the season just 2:21 minutes into the match to give the Aggies an early lead.
 
The Bengals didn't wilt and immediately attacked the Aggie defense, rifling off five-straight shots that fortunately went off target. Idaho State came knocking at the door once again with a pair of corner kicks, but the Aggie defense and Ashley Martin were there to deny the Bengals.
 
After the second corner kick for ISU, a clear by Dominique Rivera from the left side set up Rebecca Mazzie with the through ball to Galicia who then easily put the ball into the back of the net and extended the Aggie lead to 2-0.
 
At the 31st minute, Holly Abdelkader found Devin Hart on the Aggie attack but the Bengals' keeper, Shawna Henning, was there to make the save. Idaho State looked to counter immediately after that play, but the shot was just a bit high.
 
With 39 minutes on the clock, ISU's Nikolina Musto shot  a rocket on goal that Martin was able to just reach with her outstretched arms to punch out.
 
Despite being outshot 13-8 in the first half, NM State took a 2-0 lead heading into the break thanks to a great offensive performance in the first half. Of the eight shots the Aggies took, six came on goal in the first half.
 
"We had a game-plan and we opened them up from the beginning," Delgado said. "Her [Aileen] first two goals were team goals that were exactly how we wanted to attack them. But, it was also her individual play that made those three goals possible as well."
 
After back-to-back shots by ISU, the NM State offense countered but couldn't make anything of their possession. However, Idaho State's goalie had a mental lapse and rolled the ball to her teammate with Galicia lurking in the back. The Aggie sophomore intercepted the pass and fired in her third goal of the afternoon for her first-career hat trick with 50:47 on the clock.
 
Idaho State's Tristen Spooner blasted in a rocket at the 64:39 mark, but Martin was again there to knock the ball out. ISU's Jazmin Lopez had a great look at the goal after the corner kick, but it just missed banging off the crossbar.
 
Galicia's hat trick was just the second in program history. Yolanda McMillion was the only other player to record a hat trick, knocking in three of her own back on Aug. 29, 2010, against Prairie View A&M in an 8-0 win.
 
The Aggies finished the match having taken just 15 shots to the Bengals' 30, but had nine go on goal to the home team's eight. This is the first time this season NM State has given up 30 shots to an opponent.
 
"Ashley came up big," said Delgado when asked about his sophomore keeper. "As a whole, our defense came through for us because they [Idaho State] threw everything at us."
 
Martin also finished with eight saves as she goes the distance to record her second-career solo shutout and third ever between the pipes. Her three shutouts tie her with Katie Graul (2009) for fourth on the all-time list.
 
The Aggies are back in action on Friday, Sept. 16, at 7 p.m. when they square off against Battle of I-25 rival New Mexico in Albuquerque. NM State then returns home to entertain Nevada on Sunday, Sept. 18.
 
POSTGAME NOTES: With the win, NM State is now 1-2-1 against Idaho State…artin the seventh goalie for New Mexico State to record multiple shutouts in a season…last player to record multiple shutouts in one season was Jessica Schutter in 2013 with three…freshmen Jessica McDow and Valerie Maestas started in their second-straight game…last time NM State had two shutouts during the non-conference portion of the schedule was back in 2013…the last time the Aggies won 3-0 was last season at Chicago State (Oct. 23).