Las Cruces, N.M. - The NM State women's soccer team was back on the pitch Thursday evening as they traveled too Eugene to take on the University of Oregon for the 2022 season opener. Fans that tuned in witnessed a match full of defense and physicality along with some early scoring opportunities.
Many individuals performed well for the Aggies, but this wasn't enough to steal a road victory, as the Ducks' constant offensive pressure rewarded them a 2-0 victory.
SCORING SUMMARY
10' | Right out the gate both offense was attacking and looking to get shots up. Within the fist ten minutes, both teams had combined for six total shots (two on goal).
Sydnee Johnson looked to have an opportunity in the ninth minute after she sped around the outside past the ducks defense and got a shot off, which was ultimately saved by the All-Conference goalkeeper, Leah Freeman.
19' | The Aggies had two more opportunities later in the half. Xitlaly, Hernandez had a shot early in the minute that missed outright, and later
Mya Hammack missed a shot high coming off a corner kick.
27' | Makenna Gottschalk was getting her work in during the first half, coming up with some big saves. Oregon had a nice opportunity in the 27' after a nice floater into the box set up the Ducks forward nicely for a score. However, Gottschalk had other plans and came to the top of the box to snag the ball for her second save of the evening.
41' | Stellar defense kept the game scoreless through most of the first half. Not until the 41' that Oregon was finally able to capitalize on a scoring opportunity. A nice touch pass from Livvy Moore set up Callan Harrington for the easy score. Ducks led 1-0.
Half | It was clear that both sides had come to play during the first half of the action. Both teams had eight shots headed to the break; NM State had seven different players take a shot in the first half. The Aggies led the Ducks in shots on goal with four SOG to three. The Aggies also took six corners compared to the Ducks' four.
48' | Oregon had another great chance to score right after the break after Zoe Hasenauer cut through the Aggie defense and got a good shot off, but Gottschalk was right there to eat up the shot and kept the score 1-0.
57' | Gotschalk would have another remarkable save later in the second half when an Oregon forward snuck around the corner and put a pass beautifully for Ajanae Respass, but there was Gottschalk again for another save.
90' | With the clock winding down, the Aggies' hopes of getting a win were pretty much gone. The attention quickly shifted towards getting a score and walking out with a tie. Oregon was not going to let that happen. In the final minute, the ducks pressed the ball into Aggie territory and found Ajanae Respass again for another scoring chance. Gottschalk initially saved the first shot, but the ball bounced back to Respass and the second opportunity was the final nail in the coffin. Ducks take the season opener 2-0.
KEY PERFORMANCES OF NOTE
- The NM State defense played rough and physical with the Oregon forwards the whole game. Between Sofia Beerworth, Landy Williams, Thalia Chaverria and Makenna Gottschalk, the Aggies were able to contain the Ducks' offense to just one score on 15 shots (six on goal) until the goal in the final minute.
- Both teams had eight shots headed into halftime. The Aggies had seven different players take a shot in the first half. They also led in shots on goal at the break.
- Sydnee Johnson might be a freshman, but she was playing like a three-year vet and was showing off her blazing speed. She managed to attack the Oregon defense the entire match, putting up five of the Aggies' 15 shots, and even had one on goal.
- With her six saves today, Makenna Gottschalk now has 150 career saves. She currently sits third in program history in saves, only behind Dimitri Fong (265) and Ashley Martin (242).
UP NEXT
NM State women's soccer is headed to Southern California to take on Cal State Fullerton Sunday, Aug. 18, at 6 p.m. MT. This will be their second of three road games to kick-off the year. After their date with Titans, the Aggies of NM State will head to College Station to battle the Aggies of Texas A&M for the third and final game of this road stand.
For complete coverage of New Mexico State women's soccer, follow us on Twitter (@NMStateWSOC), Instagram (@NMStateWSOC) and like us on Facebook (NM State Women's Soccer).
