Match Nineteen
#1 NM State (10-5-3, 6-0-2 CUSA) vs. #2 Sam Houston (15-2-1, 5-2-1 CUSA)
Sunday, Nov. 5 | Noon (MT) | Robert Mack Caruthers Field | Ruston, La.
 
RUSTON, LA. – No matter the location, no matter the opponent, Head Coach Rob Baarts has prepared his Aggies all season long to take care of business. Facing a layoff of a week between their regular-season finale and CUSA Tournament debut, NM State found its groove in the second half to earn a 2-0 victory over #5 Sam Houston and propel themselves into the CUSA Championship game.
 
"I think our girls did a great job playing strong from the start after a bit of a layoff between games," said Coach Baarts. "We worked our way into the game and slowly built up our offensive opportunities. I'm very proud of what we've accomplished so far this season and look forward to a hugely competitive final against Liberty."
 
On Sunday, Nov. 5, #1 NM State (10-5-3, 6-0-2 CUSA) challenges #2 Liberty (15-2-1, 5-2-1 CUSA) for the CUSA crown. Coming into the season, the Aggies and Flames were projected to finish as the top two teams in the CUSA Preseason Poll, and now matchup as the top two seeds in the Conference USA Championship game.
 
In the first meeting of the season on Sept. 30, the Aggies made the trek to Lynchburg, Va. and made their presence felt early – scoring in the 26^th minute to end a streak of 475 shutout minutes by the Flames. This would not be the only streak NM State would end for Liberty, with the Crimson & White winning 2-0 to end the nation's longest unbeaten streak at 24 games.
 
First kick is set for Noon (MT) from Robert Mack Caruthers Field in Ruston, La. Fans can stream the action on ESPN+ or follow along thanks to StatsBroadcast.
 
 Match Recap | NM State 2, Sam Houston 0 | 11.3.23
 

• CUSA All-Freshman selection Shila Rasoul entered the game in the 31^st minute and showed her offensive prowess quickly forcing the Bearkat goalie to make a save just minutes after stepping onto the pitch. 
• In the 59^th minute, the Aggies were able to take advantage of a wild volley off the head of a Sam Houston defender, with the ball finding the foot of Mya Gonzales. Passing it off to CUSA Offensive Player of the Year Loma McNeese, she was able to push the ball forward to a wide-open Gia Valenti, sinking the ball into the back of the net to break the deadlock.
• Not a team to take their foot off the gas, NM State found itself with another scoring opportunity in the 88^th minute when a long cross-field pass from Meredith Scott found Loma McNeese with plenty of room to operate.
• Though Bearkat goalie Savannah Hall was able to get a glove on the ball, the momentum of the pass from McNeese was able to find the feet of Gia Valenti, squeezing it past to give NM State a 2-0 lead it would not relinquish.
• With the win, NM State extends its unbeaten streak to nine games, sporting a 7-0-2 record all-time in CUSA play.

 
Scouting the Flames
 
Head Coach Lang Wedemeyer leads Liberty, currently in his seventh season with the Flames following a 17-year career with South Dakota State (161-123-39 record with the Jackrabbits). Sporting a record of 73-43-16 in Lynchburg, this season the Flames are 15-2-1. On Friday, Liberty clinched their spot in the title game by taking down tournament host #6 LA Tech by a score of 4-0 in the CUSA Tournament semifinals.
 
Rachel DeRuby leads the Flames in goals (8) and points (19), while Ivy Garner, Allison Hansford and Bridie Herman share the lead in assists (4).
 
Junior keeper Ainsley Leja has been a force for the Flames in the net all season, playing all 18 matches, conceding nine goals (0.50 GAA) while recording 45 saves.
 
History vs. Liberty
 
After entering the year without meeting on the soccer field, this is the second matchup between NM State and Liberty this season – on Sept. 30, the Aggies traveled to Lynchburg and took down the Flames 2-0, ending the nation's then-longest unbeaten streak of 24 games. All-CUSA Second Team selection Brooke Schultz scored the Aggies' first goal in the 26^th minute, and CUSA Player of the Year Loma McNeese put home a right-footed rocket to secure the victory.
 
NM State was one of just two teams to defeat the Flames on the season, joined by Western Kentucky on Oct. 21 (1-0).
 
Aggie Accolades
 
Following a 6-0-2 mark in conference play to earn the #1 seed at the CUSA Tournament, the Aggies landed five student-athletes on the All-CUSA Teams, including CUSA Player and Offensive Player of the Year Loma McNeese and CUSA Defensive Player of the Year Xitlaly Hernandez.
 
After recording a ten goal, five assist season in 2022, McNeese was named CUSA Preseason Offensive Player of the Year. Despite the increased defensive attention, the Sherwood, Ore. native followed up with six goals (team-best) and four assists (second most) in 2023, totaling 16 points to lead Conference USA. Hernandez made a move from the midfield to centerback in the middle of the season, proving her will to help the team win in any way possible. With stifling defense, Hernandez helped the Crimson & White allow just six goals in conference action – the second fewest in CUSA.
 
McNeese and Hernandez became the first Aggies to earn Conference Player of the Year honors in program history, while Hernandez becomes the fifth Aggie to be named First Team All-Conference.
 
This is McNeese's second First Team All-Conference honor, doing the same last season in the Western Athletic Conference. Hernandez tallied a pair of Second Team selections in the WAC, and earns her first First Team nod.
 
NM State's five selections were the third most in the conference behind #2 Liberty (8, including five first-team selections) and #4 FIU (7).
 
2023 All-CUSA First Team

• Loma McNeese, Senior, Sherwood, Ore.
• Xitlaly Hernandez, Graduate Student, Phoenix, Ariz.

 
2023 All-CUSA Second Team

• Brooke Schultz, Junior, Kenmore, Wash.
• Ariana Leamons, Junior, Buckeye, Ariz.

 
2023 All-CUSA Third Team

• Mya Hammack, Junior, Aurora, Ore.

 
In addition, Valerie Guha and Shila Rasoul were named to the CUSA All-Freshman Team, making it five Aggies in program history to be named to the All-Freshman team (Jena Johannes, Sydnee Johnson and Sofia Beerworth earned the honors in 2022). Guha closed the season with 38 saves and a 1.36 GAA, but took her play to another level during CUSA matches, recording a GAA of 0.80, while posting five shutouts – most among CUSA goalkeepers. Following a career day against WKU (nine saves, fifth shutout of the season), the Friedberg, Germany native was named CUSA Player of the Week on Oct. 30.
 
Besides Guha, Shila Rasoul played the most minutes among NM State freshman, closing the year second on the team in shots (23) and shots on goal (11) and posting two goals and an assist.
 
Postseason Prowess
 
Winning a National Championship as an assistant with Portland women's soccer in 2005, Rob Baarts is no stranger to postseason success. This has followed him to Las Cruces, where he now sports a career record of 5-1-1 in conference tournament games, including the 2022 WAC Tournament Title. Leading the Aggies to their first NCAA tournament appearance in program history, NM State was tied with Mississippi State 1-1 until an 88th-minute Bulldog goal gave them the 2-1 victory.
 
No 'L' in Aggies
 
Starting their CUSA season on Sept. 17 against LA Tech, NM State is currently on a nine-game unbeaten streak – the longest in the conference. Winning their first five games to begin year one in Conference USA, the Aggies recorded back-to-back draws against FIU and Sam Houston – ending the season with a 1-0 road win over Western Kentucky. The 6-0-2 (.875) mark became the first time the Aggies finished a conference season without a loss, and surpassed the 2022 team, who tallied a 7-2-2 (.727) record in the Western Athletic Conference for best winning percentage.
 
Queen of the Net
 
Joining the Aggies as a true freshman during the teams run to the NCAA tournament last season, Valerie Guha was able to train with and learn from the best goalkeeper in NM State history, Makenna Gottschalk. Forever teammates, the pair also share a connection in the Crimson & White program records. Recording 14 shutouts in her career, Gottschalk is the program leader. Since recording her first collegiate shutout against I-25 rival UTEP on Sept. 21, Guha has tallied six clean sheets in just 13 games, vaulting her into a tie with Erin Wosick (23 games) and Jessica Schutter (39 games) for second place all-time.  
 
Back-2-Back
 
Scoring an impressive goal using a flurry of dribble moves to evade a swarm of Liberty defenders, Loma McNeese was named CUSA Offensive Player of the Week on Oct. 3, following the Aggies' 2-0 win – ending the nation's longest unbeaten streak. She followed that performance up with two goals in a 68 second span to propel NM State over Jax State, earning CUSA Offensive Player of the Week for a second consecutive week. McNeese's brace became the first for the Aggies since Oct. 2021, when Hannah Leitner recorded two goals against Nevada. "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 to do so 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 ball into 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, and give Chacon her record-breaking 13^th career assist.
 
Adding another assist on a free kick in the 26^th minute of an Oct. 2 matchup against RV Liberty, Chacon lined up for a free kick, finding the head of Megan Ormson and the knee of Brooke Schultz to increase her season total to four goals and seven assists – leading the Crimson & White in assists and finishing second on the team in goals scored.
 
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 employ a physical style of play and are not afraid of a little contact. Through 17 games this season, NM State leads CUSA in fouls per game with 201, picking up 11.82 per contest. This is the preferred method of play for the Crimson & White, sporting a 8-3-3 (.678) record in games where they record more fouls and a 2-2 (.500) 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.
 
Road Warriors
 
Whether playing at home or on the road, the Aggies have been able to put their imprint on the game, closing the year with a winning record for the second consecutive season. Going 6-0-2 in CUSA play, NM State managed a flawless 4-0 record in road matches – each victory a shoutout in favor of the Aggies.
 
Watch the Throne
 
Playing an invaluable part in the Aggies' two conference championships and first NCAA tournament appearance, Loma McNeese has cemented herself as one of the best to ever wear the Crimson & White. The senior from Sherwood, Ore. tallied six goals on the season, adding four assists and vaunting herself higher in the program record books.

• With six goals scored on the season, Loma McNeese is tied with Audriana Chavez (2015-18) for fourth in NM State history, sporting 19 career goals – 16 coming in her past two seasons. After assisting on both goals in the Aggies semifinal win over Sam Houston, McNeese climbed to third in program history in points with 51 (19 goals, 13 assists).
• After sinking the first penalty kick attempt of her career against Jax State on Oct. 8, McNeese freed herself from a four-way tie for second place in game-winning goals, now with six in her career. Leading the way offensively in nearly every facet of the game, she recorded 37 shots throughout the season, moving her into fourth all-time in career shots, totaling 119 through her four seasons with the Crimson & White.
• Narrowly outside the top ten in career assists entering the 2023 season, McNeese's career-high six helpers on the year have propelled her up the NM State record books, now alone in second place with 13 assists, trailing only teammate Bianca Chacon's 16 career 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 77 points the Aggie offense has produced this season, 21 goals and 19 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.
Following a brace in the Aggies semifinal win over Sam Houston, senior Gia Valenti sports five goals on the season – second most on the team, adding the first assist of her career against FIU. Assisting on both of Valenti's goals, Loma McNeese now tallies six assists on the season, second most on the team. 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. In addition, the team will also wear black warm-up t-shirts with Thalia's number 2 in purple with white trim, wristbands with the inscription 'I love you forever, T', and purple accessories in their hair and on their cleats as they play for T.
 
For complete coverage of NM State Soccer, visit NMStateSports.com - the official home of Aggie athletics - and follow us on Twitter (@NMStateWSOC), Instagram (@NMStateWSOC), and like us on Facebook (NMStateWSOC).