HOUSTON – A resilient New Mexico State women's soccer team rallied down 3-0 in the first half, and brought it within 3-2 but fell short as time expired on Friday against Houston at the Carl Lewis Complex.
 
Another early goal given up by the Aggies (2-9-0) had them playing from behind just two minutes into the game against Houston (5-1-1). A few minutes later, the Cougars tacked on another goal, this time on a set piece from Desiree Bowen.
 
NM State defense looked as if it had settled down and found its focus as the Aggies rattled off four shots. However, Bowen was able to slip past the Aggie defense once again as Tiffani Echeverria found her on a through ball that found its way past Ashley Martin and was easily tapped in for her hat-trick with 44:06 on the clock in the first half.
 
"This was a very, very good team," head coach Freddy Delgado said of Houston. "Their speed and athleticism caught us off guard in the first few minutes. However, we made adjustments in the second half and I was very proud of how we responded."
 
With Raeann Garcia replacing Martin between the pipes to start the second half, Houston wasted no time in testing the freshman with a shot a minute and 15 seconds into the second half. Luckily, the ball was shot wide. The San Antonio, Texas, native did not shy away and held the Cougars at bay in the second half and didn't give up a goal while picking up three saves.
 
After some substitutions by both teams, Aileen Galicia found Gabby Campbell racing down left side of the field for NM State's first goal of the night at the 64:27 mark.
 
The Aggies continued to pressure the Houston defense after their first goal, knocking at the door with back-to-back corner kicks. The second opportunity almost proved fruitful, but Nicole Young made a diving save against Devin Hart's heater.
 
New Mexico State was once again on the heels of scoring in the 75th minute. However, Audriana Chavez's shot was blocked by a UH defender. The Aggies brought the match within 3-2 with 88:20 on the click after Holly Abdelkader found Hart on the counter attack that she was able to chip over the UH goalie.
 
Despite the late rally for NM State, time was its biggest enemy as the Aggies saw their comeback fall short against Houston 3-2 when the whistle blew.
 
New Mexico State concludes non-conference play at 1 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 26, against Arizona Christian.
 
POSTGAME NOTES: This is just the second game this season where the Aggies tied their opponents in shots taken (11)…the last time NM State tied its opponent in shots taken was at UTEP (11)…the Aggies are now 1-1 when they have more shots on frame than their opponents (9-7)…Garcia made her first substitution appearance in goal tonight…this is the second time NM State has taken more corner kicks than their opponents (5-4) and lost…tonight's game is also just the third time an opponent has registered more saves than NM State – UTEP and Weber State were the others…Hart had all four shots go on goal tonight with her last one finding the back of the net.