LAS CRUCES, N.M. – The New Mexico State women's soccer team looks ahead to the start of Western Athletic Conference play as they host CSU Bakersfield on Friday, Oct. 6, at 3 p.m. The Aggies host WAC competitor, Grand Canyon, on Oct. 8 with kickoff beginning at 1 p.m.
 
HELPING THOSE IN NEED

• The NM State women's soccer team will be raising funds to help the victims effected by Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico this weekend during its matches against CSU Bakersfield (Oct. 6) and Grand Canyon (Oct. 8). This fundraiser is much more meaningful for the women's soccer team with sophomore Tuti Tirado hailing from San Juan, Puerto Rico. All proceeds will go towards those effected through Unidos Por Puerto Rico. Donations can be made at the gate during both matches, or can be done directly by visiting www.unidosporpuertorico.com.

 
NM STATE DEALT 2-1 LOSS AT SMU

• The Aggies fell to 5-6-1 on the season as the team succumbed to SMU, 2-1.
• Forward Audriana Chavez scored the goal for NM State in the first half, with the assist going to Devin Hart. This was Chavez's seventh goal of the 2017 season.
• Goalkeeper Dmitri Fong held her opponents to only two goals after facing 43 shots the entire match. She also racked up a season-high 13 saves against SMU.

 
AGGIES NAB WIN OVER ARIZONA CHRISTIAN

• NM State concluded the non-conference season with a 6-6-1 record after a thrilling, 3-2 win in overtime against Arizona Christian.
• Forward Devin Hart found the back of the net to give the Aggies an early 1-0 lead in the first half. During the second half of the match, Hart scored again, extending the lead to 2-0.
• The Firestorm's Veronica Cruz and Marisa Ortiz each scored a goal, bringing the score to 2-2 and sent the match into overtime.
• At 94:04, midfielder Alexandria Otero made a cross, giving forward Audriana Chavez the opportunity for a header and scored the game-winning goal for NM State.

 
PREVIEW: NM STATE VS. CSU BAKERSFIELD

• New Mexico State looks to start Western Athletic Conference action on a high note as they host CSU Bakersfield on Friday, Oct. 6, at 3 p.m.
• The Roadrunners are led by fourth-year head coach Gary Curneen. The squad enters the match with a 5-7-0 record.
• The Aggies currently trail the 'Runners 3-5-0 all-time. The last time NM State defeated CSU Bakersfield was on Nov. 6, 2014 with a final score of 3-0.

 
SNEAK PEEK: NEW MEXICO STATE VS. GRAND CANYON

• The Aggies host Grand Canyon at the Soccer Athletic Complex on Oct. 8, with a 1 p.m. kickoff.
• Grand Canyon enters the match with a 3-8-1 record. They are led by head coach Derek Leader, who enters his second year with the program.
• NM State trails Grand Canyon with an all-time record of 1-4-0. The last time the Aggies walked away with a victory over GCU was Oct. 4, 2015 with a score of 2-1.

 
CATEGORY LEADERS

• Points: Audriana Chavez (18), Devin Hart (15), Aileen Galicia (7)
• Goals: Audriana Chavez (7), Devin Hart (5), Jody Hernandez and Aileen Galicia (3)
• Assists: Devin Hart (5), Audriana Chavez (4), Micaela Milavec (3)
• Shots: Aileen Galicia (30), Devin Hart (28), Audriana Chavez (27)
• Shots on Goal: Devin Hart (14), Aileen Galicia (13), Audriana Chavez (12)
• Game-winning Goals: Audriana Chavez (4), Aileen Galicia (1), Tuti Tirado (1)

 
COMING UP NEXT…

• Western Athletic Conference action continues for the Aggies as they travel to Orem, Utah to play Utah Valley on Oct. 12 at 7:30 p.m. (MT).
• New Mexico State remains on the road when they battle Seattle U on Oct. 14. Kickoff is at 1 p.m. (MT).