LAS CRUCES, N.M. – The New Mexico State women's soccer team rallied together and scored big in the second half to defeat Northern Arizona, 3-2, Friday afternoon at the Soccer Athletic Complex.  
 
The Aggies took an early 1-0 lead in the first half when forward Audriana Chavez scored her fifth goal of the season with assistance from Alexandria Otero. Goalkeeper Ashley Martin held her opponents scoreless while racking up one save. NAU's offense came out strong, taking five shots at the goal to NM State's four shots.
 
"We wanted to make sure we got off to a good start," head coach Freddy Delgado said. "We wanted to make sure we were mentally and physically ready to go. I thought we got off to a very good start, which it's always easier to adjust your game after you come in ready to play. I think that was one of the big pieces."
 
Entering the second half, NM State wasted no time when midfielder Micaela Milavec made a great pass to Rebecca Mazzie, who got the ball in the net at the 51:48 minute mark to earn her first goal of the season. Later in the match, midfielder Tuti Tirado snuck the ball around Northern Arizona's Meghan Dickmann to score her first goal of the season, making it 3-0 by the 67:22 mark. It wasn't long before the Lumberjacks' Malia Lyken maneuvered the ball in the net, making the score 3-1.
 
NM State's Aileen Galicia attempted one more shot at the goal, but went wide. Despite the Lumberjacks scoring one more goal later in the game, the Aggies managed to hold on for the 3-2 victory and send NAU home with a 5-3-0 record.  
 
"Today's win feels very good," Delgado said. "We know we have a good team. We knew it was a matter of time before we got back to our winning ways, so it feels good to get back to it. Every single opponent we have on our schedule are good, tough opponents. We just went out there ready to play to the best of our ability."
 
New Mexico State (5-4-1) returns to the Soccer Athletic Complex, Sept. 17, when they host Houston. Kickoff is at noon with the first 250 fans receiving a free t-shirt.