LAS CRUCES, N.M. – The New Mexico State women's soccer team drops to 5-5-1 on the season after being dealt a 3-1 loss by Houston Sunday afternoon.
 
The Aggies got off to a strong start in the first half at the Soccer Athletic Complex, attacking a tough Houston defense. Their aggressive tactics paid off when midfielder Jody Hernandez found the back of the net to give the Aggies an early 1-0 lead. Teammates Audriana Chavez and Tuti Tirado took shots at the goal later in the half, but were blocked by Houston's goalkeeper, Rachel Estopare.  
 
"I thought in the first half we did a good job of continuing to press them after we scored the goal," head coach Freddy Delgado said. "I was pretty happy with the fact that we kept going, but in the second half we let down."
 
NM State came out in the second half attacking the goal when Aileen Galicia made a shot-on-goal in the 50th minute, but was saved by Estopare. Seconds later, Chavez attempted a header, but was blocked. Houston (4-3-1) set the equalizer when Hannah Dauzat snuck the ball past Aggie goalkeeper Ashley Martin. At the 61:44 mark, Martin made a great attempt to block a corner kick by Dauzat, but the ball found the back of the net, setting the Aggies behind 2-1. Selena Peters scored the final goal for the Cougars, which handed NM State the 3-1 loss.
 
"I don't know if it was mental fatigue or physical fatigue, but we just looked slower in the second half," Delgado said. "Everything we did well in the first half, we couldn't repeat in the second. We weren't in the moment and playing aggressive. We were more so just caught on our heels. On Houston's second goal that was off the corner kick, we can't let that happen."
 
New Mexico State enters a bye-week and returns to action on Sept. 29 when they visit SMU for a 4 p.m. matchup.
 
"I think we have a very good opportunity because it's going to give us a mental, physical and emotional break. Our players invest a lot of time and energy into the games. We have a couple of days off built in to let them recuperate, heal their injuries, get their emotions in check and work on school."