Match Seventeen
NM State (8-5-3, 5-0-2 CUSA) vs. Western Kentucky (6-3-7, 4-1-2 CUSA)
Friday, Oct. 27 | 5 p.m. (MT) | WKU Soccer Complex | Bowling Green, Ky.
 
LAS CRUCES, N.M. – Since taking the position of Head Coach for NM State Soccer in 2018, Rob Baarts has changed the fortunes of a program in its infancy. Last season, the Aggies secured their first conference title as members of the Western Athletic Conference – this Friday, NM State (8-5-3, 5-0-2 CUSA) will battle Western Kentucky (6-3-7, 4-1-2 CUSA) for the CUSA regular season crown.
 
"I am incredibly proud of this group of young ladies." said Head Coach Rob Baarts. "Winning the WAC Tournament last season then tragically losing our center back and leader of the back line, then losing three more starters to season-ending injuries… For us to still put ourselves in a place to win the CUSA regular season and to guarantee ourselves a No. 2 seed at minimum is spectacular. The resilience of this team is incredible! I couldn't be more proud of their accomplishments."
 
With a win or tie in Friday's match, the Aggies will claim the outright regular season CUSA title, while a loss would make NM State and WKU Co-Champions.
 
First kick is set for 5 p.m. (MT) from the WKU Soccer Complex in Bowling Green, Ky. Fans can stream the action on ESPN+ or follow along thanks to StatsBroadcast.
 
 Match Recap | NM State 0, Sam Houston 0 | 10.22.23
 

• The two strong defenses were on full display in the first half as Gianna Valenti's shot in the 11^th minute was the only shot by either squad during the first 20 minutes of play.
• Following some second-half lineup changes and, perhaps, philosophy changes, both teams came out goal-seeking. In just the first 10 minutes, Sam Houston and NM State each took two shots, including two from the Bearkats that required the attention of Guha.
• The Aggies nearly came away with a goal in the final 30 seconds of action when a corner kick played in by Brooke Schultz rattled around the box, however, no Aggies were able to get a clean look at the goal and the buzzer sounded with both teams knotted at zero.

• Although, the Aggies did not enter with hopes of a tie, the tie does benefit the Aggies in terms of seeding for the upcoming CUSA Tournament Ruston, La. The tie gives the Aggies 17 total points to remain atop the CUSA table and guarantee the Aggies one of the top two seeds in the tournament – meaning they are guaranteed to receive a first-round bye.

 
Scouting the Lady Toppers
 
Head Coach Jason Neidell has led the Lady Toppers since the program's inception in 2001, sporting a career 233-144-53 record in 23 seasons at the helm. This season, WKU is 6-3-7, with a 4-1-2 mark in CUSA play. Currently, the Lady Toppers are on a three-game winning streak, knocking off Liberty, Sam Houston and LA Tech with 1-0 wins.
 
Katie Erwin leads WKU in points (15) and goals scored this season (6), while sharing the lead in assists with Freshman Rebecca Roth (3).
 
Redshirt Sophomore Maddie Davis has played all but 90 minutes in the net for the Lady Toppers, conceding 13 goals (0.87 GAA) while recording 49 saves (.790 save percentage).
 
History vs. WKU
 
Though NM State and WKU were both members of the Sun Belt Conference in the early 2000s, the Aggies soccer program did not begin until 2009, when the Crimson & White were members of the Western Athletic Conference. Reunited in 2023, this marks the first time the two schools will meet on the soccer field.
 
No 'L' in Aggies
 
Starting their CUSA season on Sept. 17 against LA Tech, NM State is currently on a seven-game unbeaten streak – their first such streak of the season. This is the longest unbeaten streak in the conference following FIU's 2-1 loss against LA Tech. Western Kentucky currently has the second-longest streak in CUSA, winning each of their last three contests. The Aggies' 5-0-2 (.857) record is the best start to conference play for a first-year CUSA member since Houston (8-3-0; .727) in 1998.
 
Back-2-Back
 
Following her brace in an Oct. 8 win over Jax State, senior forward Loma McNeese was named the CUSA Offensive Player of the Week for a second consecutive week. "It's a great feeling being recognized as a threat offensively", said McNeese. "But without the rest of my team executing, I don't get those same opportunities. So credit to my teammates!"
 
McNeese became the first Aggie to earn back-to-back conference Player of the Week honors since goalkeeper Dmitri Fong in 2017, and the first-ever for Offensive Player of the Week.
 
Queen B
 
Following a five-goal, nine-assist season in her sophomore campaign, junior Bianca Chacon has provided NM State with instant offense in the attacking half of the field. Recording three assists through her first eight games of the season, junior Bianca Chacon entered a tie with Hannah Leitner for the most in program history with 12. In the 85^th minute of a Sept. 17 contest against LA Tech, Chacon fired a shot from just inside the box on the right side of the field, banging the top of the crossbar. Shila Rasoul followed the ball, easily heading it in off the rebound to give the Aggies a 4-2 edge.
 
Adding another assist on a free kick in the 26^th of an Oct. 2 matchup against RV Liberty, Chacon lined up for a free kick in the 26^th minute, Chacon increased her season total to four goals and seven assists – leading the Crimson & White in both categories.
 
With 16 career assists, Bianca Chacon now stands alone in the NM State record books.
 
Let's Get Physical
 
Led by Head Coach Rob Baarts', the Aggies are not afraid of a little contact and physical contests. Through 16 games this season, NM State leads CUSA in fouls per game with 192, picking up 12.00 per contest. This is the preferred method of play for the Crimson & White, sporting a 7-3-3 (.654) record in games where they record more fouls and a 1-2 (.333) mark in contests where fouls are tied or worse.
 
Super SAC
 
Last season, the Aggies posted the first undefeated home record in program history, going 7-0-2 from the friendly confines of the NM State Soccer Athletic Complex. Since opening in 2012, NM State has recorded 41 victories from their home field. Numerous improvements have been made to the place Aggie soccer calls home, including a shaded home base for the game operations crew, flood lights, and an upgraded, customizable lighting system. New for this season, the area behind the team benches has been completely relandscaped, giving the Soccer Athletic Complex a facelift ahead of the five home contests streaming on ESPN+.
 
In 2023, the Aggies posted a 4-2-3 home record, securing a .500 or better mark in each of the past four seasons.
 
Watch the Throne
 
While leading the Aggies to their first WAC title in program history is the crowning jewel of her time at NM State, Loma McNeese has provided outstanding offensive impact throughout her time in Las Cruces. Through sixteen games, the Sherwood, Ore. native has totaled six goals and four assists, vaulting herself up the Aggie record book.

• With six goals on the season, Loma McNeese is now tied with Audriana Chavez (2015-18), sporting 19 career goals. Now totaling 49 career points (19 goals, 11 assists) the senior forward is fourth in program history, just one point behind Layla Todd (20 G, 10 A) to enter a tie for third all-time.
• After sinking the first penalty kick attempt of her career against the Gamecocks, McNeese freed herself from a four-way tie for second place, now alone with six career game-winning goals. Leading the team with 32 shots through sixteen contests, she now sits sixth all-time in career shots, totaling 114 through four seasons with the Crimson & White.
• Narrowly outside the top ten in career assists entering the season, McNeese's four helpers on the year have propelled her upwards, now sitting in a tie with Devin Hart (2013-2017) and Crystal Burns (2009-2010) for third all-time with 11 assists. Hannah Leitner (2019-2021) is second on the career list with 12, and Bianca Chacon sits atop the throne with 16 assists.

Leading the Way
Every team depends on the leadership of its veterans, relying on their experience and preparation for the game-defining moments. This season, the Aggies have called upon their upperclassmen when needed most, and they have produced. Of the 68 points the Aggie offense has produced this season, 19 goals and 17 assists have come from student-athletes who are juniors and above. Senior Loma McNeese leads the team with six goals scored, while junior Bianca Chacon leads NM State in assists with seven.
Gia Valenti is tied for second in goals scored with three and added the first assists of her career against FIU, while McNeese is second on the team in assists with four. Brooke Schultz has recorded two goals and two assists during conference action, Ariana Leamons has posted a goal and two assists, Megan Ormson tallied an assist and a goal in wins over UTEP and RV Liberty, Tati Jerman punched in her first goal of the season against UTEP, and Xitlaly Hernandez recorded the game-winning goal against Cal State Fullerton.
 
Missed But Not Forgotten
 
Just a short time ago, the NM State soccer program lost an important member of its family. On July 11, junior defender Thalia Chaverria suddenly passed away at the age of 20. Thalia was entering her third season with the program.
 
Head Coach Rob Baarts said "T was an inspiration and rock to this team. She will be missed but not forgotten. Her spirit will be with us every day, on and off the pitch."
 
True to Coach Baarts' word, Thalia will not be forgotten as the team will honor her with a patch worn on the shoulder of each Aggie this season. The patch will feature Thalia's number on the field (2) and her initials (TC) in white text surrounded by a black circle.
 
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