LAS CRUCES, N.M. – The Aggies are back at home for the second straight weekend as they welcome the Jax State Gamecocks to the NM State Soccer Complex on Saturday, Oct. 19, at 7 p.m. MT. This game will serve as Senior Night, with nine Aggies being recognized in a pre-game ceremony.
 
How to Follow 
Who: Jax State Gamecocks (7-7-1, 2-3-1 CUSA)
Where: Las Cruces, N.M | NM State Soccer Complex
When: Saturday, Oct. 19, 7 p.m. MT 
Live Statistics: nmstatestats.com 
 
Conference USA Play 
In 2023, the Aggies made a strong first impression in Conference USA. NM State put together a 6-0-2 record in league play en route to a regular-season CUSA championship. The 2023 Aggie squad produced just the 10^th undefeated regular season in CUSA history and were the first to do so in their inaugural year in the conference.
This season, the Aggies have put together a 3-2-1 record, most recently shutting out CUSA newcomer Kennesaw State 2-0 this past Sunday. This is the penultimate CUSA home game for the Crimson & White, who will travel to LA Tech on Oct. 27 before playing their regular season finale against UTEP on Oct. 31. NM State now stands at 5-0-2 all-time in home CUSA contests.
 
Aggie Accolades  
Ahead of the 2024 campaign, a trio of Aggies were named to the CUSA All-Preseason Team, including reigning CUSA Player of the Year and Offensive Player of the Year Loma McNeese, reigning CUSA Defensive Player of the Year Xitlaly Hernandez and 2023 Second Team All-CUSA selection Ariana Leamons.
In 2024, the Aggies have won six Conference USA Weekly Awards. In total they have tallied 11 CUSA Weekly Awards since joining the conference on July 1, 2023. The Aggies won two Player of the Week awards on Sept. 17^th, when junior Jena Johannes and redshirt sophomore Valerie Guha were tabbed CUSA Defensive player of the week and Goalkeeper of the week, respectively.
Most recently, defender Jena Johannes was tabbed Defensive Player of the Week (Oct. 1) for the second time this season following a pair of wins over Western Kentucky and Middle Tennessee.  
 
McNeese Magic 
Scoring her fifth goal of the season in the 29^th minute of a 2-1 victory over Western Kentucky on Sept. 26, graduate forward Loma McNeese became NM State's all-time leader in points with 63, beating out Aileen Galicia who played for the Crimson & White from 2015-2018. Taking home the 2023 CUSA Player of the Year and Offensive Player of the Year awards, McNeese is putting together another strong season, tallying five goals and a trio of assists for 13 points throughout the season.
The Sherwood, Ore., native has played a large role in NM State's success as of late, scoring or assisting in five of the last seven contests she has played in. On Sunday, McNeese tallied her third assist of the season and 16^th of her career – tying teammate Bianca Chacon for the most in program history. McNeese missed the first game of her collegiate career on Sept. 29, as the Aggies defeated CUSA foe Middle Tennessee 1-0.
In her career, McNeese also ranks among the program's best in game-winning goals (7, tied for first), PK goals (2, tied for second) multi-goal games (2, tied for second) and goals (24, second).
 
VAL-ient Effort
Since taking over the starting goalkeeper role in 2023, redshirt sophomore Valerie Guha has been a force for the Aggies in the net. On Sunday against the Owls, Guha posted her third shutout of the season – tied for third most in CUSA this season, and the ninth clean sheet of her career.
In her career, Guha ranks second among Aggie goalkeepers in wins (16), third in GAA (1.35) and seventh in all-time saves (106).
 
Phreshman Phenoms
 Throughout his tenure with the Aggies, NM State Head Coach Rob Baarts has utilized the recruiting trail well to set his program for success. 2024 has proven to be no different, as a trio of true freshman have turned into consistent contributors.
Midfielder Andrea Alvarenga has worked herself into an increased role tallying one goal, one assist and six shots in 310 minutes over the past six games. Defender Ariana Ellison has played in all 15 NM State contests, totaling 965 minutes – the seventh most on the team and best among freshmen. On Sunday, Ellison scored her first collegiate goal in the 2-0 win over Kennesaw State.
Forward Milana Eyrich has suited up in all 15 NM State contests, earning her first collegiate start on Sept. 8 against UC Davis. On Sunday, the Sahuarita, Ariz., native recorded her first goal with the Crimson & White, recording the late equalizer in a 2-2 draw against Liberty on Oct. 6.
 
History 
This will be the fourth all-time meeting between the Aggies and Gamecocks on the pitch, with NM State leading the all-time series 3-0. This becomes the first time the two will play in Las Cruces since Aug. 27, 2010 – a 2-1 NM State victory.  
 
Scouting the Gamecocks
The Gamecocks are led by head coach Sean Fraser in his second season at the helm. Fraser's record at Jax State is 13-16-3 (3-8-3 in CUSA), with an all-time record of 80-60-9.
For the season, Jax State holds a 7-7-1 record overall, with a 2-3-1 mark in Conference USA action. During the nonconference slate, the Gamecocks tallied wins over West Georgia, North Alabama, Alabama State, Talladega College and Mississippi Valley State.
Junior forward Naroa Domenech paces the Gamecocks offensively, holding the team lead in goals (7), assists (6), points (20) and shots (34). In conference action, the Spanish native has tallied one goal, three assists and ten shots.
Junior Poppy Bastock commands the net for Jax State, tallying 14 starts and 1,176 minutes played on the season, recording 48 saves with a 1.38 GAA while posting a trio of shutouts.
On the season, Jax State has allowed 21 goals (1.40 GAA), while recording 34 goals and 35 assists.
 
Up Next 
The Aggies will make a trek to Ruston, La. on Sunday, Oct. 27 for their final road contest of the regular season against LA Tech. First kick is scheduled for Noon MT. For complete coverage of NM State Women's Soccer, visit NMStateSports.com - the official home of Aggie athletics – and follow us on Twitter (@NMStateWSOC), Instagram (@nmstatewsoc) and like us on Facebook (NM State Women's Soccer)