LAS CRUCES, N.M. - The NM State women's soccer team (3-7) faces a tall task, as they will head to Irvine, Calif., to face the top team in the WAC in the California Baptist Lancers (7-1-2). The teams will meet at the Championship Soccer Stadium in Irvine on Thursday and Saturday with both games beginning at 3 p.m. on the WAC Digital Network. 

Grinding Through a Pandemic
For the first time since Oct. 24, 2019, the Aggies played a soccer game at the Soccer Athletic Complex in Las Cruces, N.M. on March 13 against UTRGV. Due to the WAC postponing the the fall soccer to the spring and the state regulation put in place by New Mexico, the Aggies have been unable to play in its home facilities. The Aggies' "home" games were played at University Field in El Paso, Texas, on the campus of UTEP.

Scouting the Lancers
California Baptist has carried over its recent success into the 2020-21 season, as they will head into the matchup with the Aggies first in the WAC with a 7-1-2 overall record. The Lancers are led by its defense, as they have allowed just five goals on the season. Leading that defense is Romy Salvador who has 24 saves on the year with a 0.828 save percentage. The Lancer offense is led by Rola Badawiya and Amy Aquino. Both players have knocked in five goals for the Lancers. The Lancers are coming off of a win and tie in its weekend series against Utah Valley.        

Last Time Out
The Aggie offense struggled in two games against UTRGV last weekend recording only one goal in two matches. The Aggies dropped last Thursday's game 2-1 and last Saturday's game 1-0. Hannah Leitner scored the lone goal for the Aggies on the weekend.

The Series
The Aggies have faced the Lancers just twice in its history with the Lancers holding a 2-0 advantage. In 2019, the Lancers defeated NM State 1-0 in Las Cruces. 

Up Next
The Aggies will return home for a two-game series against Dixie State. The teams will play next Thursday (4 p.m.) and Saturday (1 p.m.) at the NM State Soccer Athletic Complex. Both games will be streamed live on the WAC Digital Network. 

For updates throughout the season, follow the Aggies on Twitter (@NMStateWSOC), Instagram (@nmstatewsoc) and Facebook (NM State Women's Soccer).

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