LAS CRUCES, N.M. – The New Mexico State women's soccer team welcomes Abilene Cristian in a non-conference matchup to open the regular season on Thursday, Aug. 19, at 7 p.m. (MT). This is the first Aggie night game since 2011.

Follow Along
Aggie Nation can follow along with all the action thanks to live stats from StatBroadcast.
 
Where to Watch
Aggie fans unable to attend Thursday night's game can catch all the Aggie action on the WAC Digital Network with Duke Keith and Heidi Moccia on the call.
 
Guess Who's Back
NM State returns its top-four goal scorers from last year's squad that made a run to the WAC Semifinal including Xitlaly Hernandez (7g), Hannah Leitner (5g, 5a), Megan Ormson (4g) and Shea O'Connor (4g). Leitner was named Second Team All-WAC following the season and was joined on the All-WAC Second Team by returning defender Emma Smith.
 
Leitner currently ranks sixth all-time with eight career assists and tied for first with three multi-assist games. Her and Hernandez's 15 points last season tied them for ninth in the NM state single-season record books while Hernandez's seven goals were the sixth-most goals scored by an Aggie.
 
The Aggies also bring back All-WAC Honorable Mentions Corey Kizer, Lece Aviles, Hernandez and McKenna Gottschalk. Leitner and Kizer were also named to the WAC All-Tournament team for their performances in Phoenix.
 
Last season saw the Aggies win their first WAC Tournament match since 2014 with a 3-0 win over UT Rio Grande Valley in the WAC Quarterfinals. NM State fell to
 
Season Tickets
Aggie Nation can pick up season tickets for all Aggie home matches for just $50. NM State is set to host eight home matches at the Soccer Athletic Complex.
 
Tickets are available in person at the Pan Am ticket office or by calling the Pan Am ticket office at 575-646-1420 with faculty, staff and senior citizens receiving discounted rates.  Season tickets can also be purchased through the Aggie Country pass.
 
Scouting the Wildcats
Abilene Christian is set for its inaugural season in the WAC after moving from the Southland. However, this match is not a conference match. The Wildcats posted a 12-6-2 record with a 7-3-1 record in Southland play. ACU took down the Aggies 3-1 in their last meeting during the 2019 season.
 
The Wildcats return four-time First Team All-Southland honoree Christina Arteaga who was also named Preseason All-WAC. Arteaga has recorded 89 points, 35 goals and a school record 19 assists during her illustrious career. ACU was picked to finish second in the WAC's Southwest Division.
 
Last Time Out
NM State tuned up for the regular season with an exhibition match against University of the Southwest on Thursday, Aug. 12, at the Soccer Athletic Complex.
 
The Aggies put on a dominant performance on both ends of the pitch with the offense exploding for four goals and the defense allowing just a single shot on the day. NM State was paced by a brace from Jocelyn Tallent-Burleson as well as goals from Corey Kizer and freshman Bianca Chacon.
 
Up Next
NM State opens a six-match road swing with a trip to UC Davis on Friday, Aug. 7, at 6 p.m. (MT) and Nevada on Sunday, Aug. 29, at 2 p.m.