OREM, Utah – The New Mexico State women's soccer team dropped its first road game in Western Athletic Conference play, falling to Utah Valley, 5-2, on Thursday night.
 
The Aggies (7-7-2, 1-1-1 WAC) got the icebreaker in the 11th minute of play. Samantha Afonso was in the right place at the right time when she sent a pass out to Devin Hart who ripped a shot past the keeper into the net for the 1-0 lead. Utah Valley (6-10-2, 2-1-0 WAC) set the equalizer at 22:15 when Amber Tripp snuck the ball around NM State goalkeeper Dmitri Fong. The Aggie offense had three shot-on-goal attempts, but couldn't capitalize before the halftime break.
 
The second half was filled with more fast-paced action. New Mexico State fell behind 2-1 at 50:44 when UVU's Tori Smith found the back of the net. The Aggies continued to put the pressure on the Wolverines when Aileen Galicia made a pass from the left of the box to Hart, but came up short on scoring the equalizer. In the 61st minute of action, Fong fell shy of the save against Utah Valley's Tripp, dealing NM State a 3-1 deficit.
 
The Aggie defense looked like they had found a counter for the UVU offense, but the Wolverines made some strong plays and rattled off another goal on a set piece. NM State's Audriana Chavez cut Utah Valley's lead down to 4-2 at 66:05 when she shot the ball into the net off of a penalty kick. Following a foul on the Aggies late in the match, the Wolverines capitalized on a penalty kick with another goal, ultimately dealing New Mexico State the 5-2 loss.
 
The Aggies now head to the northwest for a 1 p.m. battle with Seattle U on Saturday, Oct. 14.