LAS CRUCES, N.M. - One of the longest-serving individuals on the NM State women's soccer coaching staff has a new title. 

As announced Friday by NM State head coach Rob Baarts, Miguel Guante has been elevated to the position of associate head coach. Since 2018, Guante has served on Baarts' staff as an assistant coach

"Miguel has been an integral part in all aspects of our soccer program," commented Baarts. "His knowledge of the game and strong recruiting capabilities have helped raise the standard of our program! He is very personable and loved by our players. I am grateful to have Miguel along my side throughout my tenure in Las Cruces."

Guante recently finished up his fourth season on Baarts' staff in the fall of 2021 - a campaign in which NM State continued its upward trajectory. With Guante on their side, the Aggies amassed the most WAC victories in a single season in the history of the program (five) as well as nine total wins - the second-highest single-season total in NM State history.

NM State made the cut for the WAC Tournament for the second-straight season in 2021, too, and boasted four All-WAC honorees. Included among those All-WAC selections were two of the 11 individuals on the All-WAC Freshman Team (Thalia Chaverria and Mya Hammack) as well as All-WAC Second Team performers Xitlaly Hernandez and Hannah Leitner.

Like Baarts, Guante arrived in Las Cruces ahead of NM State's 2018 season. Since that point, the Aggies have succeeded in increasing their win total in each successive season.

Guante spent the 2017 season at his alma mater, the University of Portland. Prior to his return to UP, the Fort Huachuca, Ariz., native served as the head coach for the Lincoln High School girls' varsity team from 2013-17 with stops at Valley Catholic High School and Central Catholic High School as well.
 
Gaunte played for Baarts during his time with the Pilots as an assistant (2002-05) and helped guide the team to the second round of the NCAA Playoffs three of his four years. The 5-9 midfielder was also a four-time All-West Coast Conference honoree while at UP and finished his career with six goals and six assists.
 
He was also a member of the Olympic Development Program Region IV Team (2000-02), Arizona ODP. During that same time span, Guante was a member of the U-18 National Team from 2001-02 after spending time with the U-17 National Team pool from 2000-01.
 
He went on to play professionally in Major League Soccer (MLS) for FC Dallas, Miami FC and the Portland Timbers.

For complete coverage of NM State women's soccer as the Aggies prepare for the 2022 season, visit NMStateSports.com - the official home of Aggie athletics - and follow the Aggies on Facebook (NM State Soccer), Twitter (@NMStateWSOC) and Instagram (@NMStateWSOC).

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