Match Ten
NM State (3-5-1, 0-0-0 CUSA) vs. LA Tech (3-5-1, 0-0-0 CUSA)
Sunday, Sep. 17 | 1:00 p.m. (MT) | NM State Soccer Complex | Las Cruces, N.M.
 
LAS CRUCES, N.M. – After officially joining Conference USA on July 1, the Aggies have played nine non-conference games as members. Now, the Crimson & White look ahead to their new future, drawing on a familiar foe. On Sunday afternoon, NM State (3-5-1) and LA Tech (3-5-1) reunite on the soccer field as conference foes for the first time since 2013.
 
First kick between the Aggies and Bulldogs is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. MT. Fans can stream the action on ESPN+, featuring play-by-play by Adam Young and color commentary from former Massachusetts All-American soccer star Heidi Moccia, or follow along thanks to statbroadcast.
 
Since the soccer program's inception in 2009 through this past season, the Aggies competed in the Western Athletic Conference. From 2009-2012, LA Tech was also a member before departing for CUSA. This will be the fifth matchup with the Bulldogs, though the first since 2012.
 
Match Recap | NM State 0 USC 3 | 9.14.23
 

• In total, NM State was outshot by the Trojans 14-7, including a 6-0 advantage in the first half.
• Freshman goalkeeper Karolanne Lafortune turned in a solid performance, earning four saves – a mark that she has eclipsed only twice this season.
• Following 26 minutes of action in which neither side took a shot, the home side added a pair of quick goals to take a 2-0 lead with 18 minutes remaining in the first half. In the 26th minute, USC's Izzy Kimberly and Maribel Flores combined to find Helena Sampaio for the game's opening goal. Just one minute and 23 seconds later, the Trojan offense would break through once again as Brooklyn Courtnall assisted Maribel Flores who used her right foot to put one past the Aggie goalkeeper.
• The Trojans extended the gap in the 76th minute as Kayla Colbert finished off a pass from Maribel Flores who recorded her fifth point of the night. This would mark the final shot on goal of the afternoon as USC earned its third home victory of the season.

 
Scouting the Bulldogs
 
Head Coach Steve Voltz leads the Bulldogs in his third season with the program. Sporting a career 16-22-7 record at LA Tech, this season the Bulldogs are 3-5-1, currently on a two-match losing streak. Wins on the season include Colorado College, McNeese State and Nicholls State.
 
Lauren Egbuloniu leads the team with five goals on the season, including a brace in the win over Nicholls State. Along with teammate Kyra Taylor, the duo are two of 12 in CUSA with four or more goals. Egbuloniu has also added a pair of assists on the year, tied for the team lead.
 
Laerke Holst defends the net for the Bulldogs, appearing in seven games and totaling 514 minutes. Conceding 15 goals for a 2.63 GAA along with 28 saves, LA Tech is 2-2-1 with Holst in the lineup.
 
As a team, the Bulldogs rank last in the conference in goals against average (2.89), while ranking third in goals (19) and fourth in assists (1.44 per game). Across the nation, LA Tech is 62^nd in shot accuracy (.530) and tied for 312^th in GAA (2.89).
 
LA Tech was projected third in the CUSA Preseason Poll, garnering one first-place vote to finish behind Liberty and NM State. Forward Flavie Dube and defender Jodie Studer were also named to the CUSA Preseason Team.
 
Though the Bulldogs and Aggies did not share any common opponents in non-conference play, both will matchup with the other eight members of CUSA. After Sunday's match, LA Tech will face off with Jacksonville State (Sept. 21) and UTEP (Sept. 24) to close out the month.
 
History vs. LA Tech
 
As former conference mates, the Aggies and Bulldogs have met on the soccer field four times prior, with NM State sporting an 0-4 record in these games – though three were decided by one score. Sunday will represent just the second meeting in Las Cruces, the last coming in 2010.
 
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 40 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+. Louisiana Tech kicks off the Aggies' tenure in CUSA with a home matchup slated for September 17. The Crimson & White will also welcome Middle Tennessee, FIU and Sam Houston during conference action.
 
Watch the Throne(s)
 
While leading the Aggies to their first WAC title in program history is the crowning jewel of their time at NM State, Loma McNeese, Xitlaly Hernandez and Bianca Chacon have provided outstanding offensive impact throughout their time in Las Cruces. Through seven games, the trio have combined for five goals and four assists, catapulting themselves higher in the NM State record books.

• Loma McNeese currently sits in seventh place on the career goals list with 14, tying Yolanda McMilion for sixth all-time with her next goal. Recording three points in the season opener, the senior forward is tied with McMilion in career points with 36 (14 goals, eight assists).
• After securing the game-winning goal in the season opener against Portland State, McNeese moved into a four-way tie for second place, sporting five career game-winning goals. Second on the team with 14 shots through the first nine contests, she now sits ninth all-time in career shots, totaling 96 through four seasons with the Crimson & White, with plenty of room to race the record books.
• After scoring the game-winning goal against Cal State Fullerton, Xitlaly Hernandez sports ten career goals, tying Crystal Burns for eighth-most all-time. Her 106 career shots now give Hernandez sole possession of sixth place. With one assist this season, the graduate student will move into a three-way tie for second place on the career assists list.
• Generating a trio of Aggie goals with her passing through seven games played, Bianca Chacon now boasts 12 career assists, nine of them coming during NM State's historic 2022 campaign – tying the single-season school record.
• Recording a quartet of goals scored already this season – including one in three of the last four contests – Chacon now sports 11 career goals, putting her in a tie with Shea O'Connor and Corey Kizer for eight all-time in NM State history.

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 25 points the Aggie offense has produced this season, eight goals and four assists have come from student-athletes who are juniors and above. Junior Bianca Chacon leads NM State in both goals and assists, tallying four goals while adding in three assists. Gia Valenti is second in goals after recording her second of the season against UNLV, Loma McNeese has posted a goal and an assist each, and Xitlaly Hernandez recorded the game-winning goal against Cal State Fullerton.

New Places, New and Old Faces
 
As the Aggies head into a new conference for the first time in the program's history, lots of change is expected. Makenna Gottschalk, the Aggies' all-time leader in saves, graduated and now plays professionally in Austria for FC Pinzgau. 2023 All-WAC Second Team defender Landy Williams has also moved onto her post-NM State career, joining Gottschalk in suiting up to play for FC Pinzgau.  
 
One area that should provide plenty of familiarity for the Aggies is the offensive end. Following a season with 32 goals scored, NM State returns 94% of its offensive production – including 86% of the team's assists from a season ago.
 
The Aggies also welcome a slew of newcomers – nine in total – who look to make their mark while wearing the Crimson & White. Ariana Leamons joins NM State after competing at the JUCO level for two seasons with Phoenix College, totaling 42 goals and 35 assists in just 39 games. A 2022 NJCAA Division II All-American, she helped her school to an 18-2-1 record and their second NJCAA Division II Championship. Emma O'Neill comes to Las Cruces via the Sun City and El Paso High School, where she earned the 2022 District 1-5A defensive MVP along with a Second Team All-City nod. In 2023 she helped her school to a 21-5 record and their second straight 5A Regional appearance after recording 14 goals (second on the team) and seven assists.
 
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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