LAS CRUCES, N.M. – NM State is back on the road for the second half of their weekend road trip. The Aggies are heading north to Lynchburg for a meeting with the Liberty Flames, set for Sunday, Oct. 6, at 11 a.m. MT.    
How to Follow 
Who: Liberty Flames (10-1-2, 2-1 CUSA)
Where: Lynchburg, Va. | Osborne Stadium
When: Sunday, Oct. 6, 11 a.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 2-2 record, picking up a pair of home wins against WKU and Middle Tennessee. NM State improved to 4-0-2 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.
On Tuesday, Johannes was tabbed Defensive Player of the Week 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 Ketucky, graduate forward Loma McNeese became the 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 pair of assists for 12 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 four of the last five contests she has played in. 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) and 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, Guha posted her second shutout of the season in a win over Middle Tennessee – tied for second most in CUSA this season, and the eighth clean sheet of her career.
Among CUSA goalies in 2024, Guha also ranks second in saves (48), sixth in save percentage (.716) and sixth in GAA (1.46). In her career, Guha ranks second among Aggie goalkeepers in wins (15), third in GAA (1.38) and sixth in all-time saves (101).
 
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 five shots in 209 minutes in the past four games. Defender Ariana Ellison has played in all 13 NM State contests, making nine starts while totaling 816 minutes – the seventh most on the team and best among freshmen. Forward Milana Eyrich has suited up in all 13 NM State contests, earning the start against UC Davis, against then-ranked USC Eyrich tallied her first career assist in the game-tying goal.
 
History 
NM State and Liberty played each other twice in 2023, the first season with meetings between the two programs. The Aggies shocked the Flames in the regular season, taking a 2-0 victory and breaking the Flames' 27-game unbeaten streak. However, in the CUSA tournament final, the Flames were able to come away with a 2-1 victory and advance to the NCAA tournament.
 
Scouting the Flames
The Flames are led by eighth-year head coach Lang Wedemeyer, who is in the midst of his 25^th season as a collegiate coach, amassing an impressive 245-168-57 across stints with the Flames and South Dakota State. In CUSA action, Liberty is 7-3-1 under Wedemeyer's direction.
The Flames are 10-1-2 on the season, with a 2-1 record in conference play, most recently picking up a 1-0 home victory over UTEP. In non-conference action, Liberty tallied a 2-1 road victory over ACC opponent Virginia Tech.
Redshirt sophomore forward Halle Engle paces the 2024 edition of the Flames in goals with eight, while sophomore Gabby Miranda totals four assists to lead the team. In the net, Peyton Huber and Grace Workman have split time, with each amassing 585 minutes of action.
On the season, the Flames have allowed nine goals (0.69 GAA), while recording 29 goals and 25 assists.
 
Up Next 
The Aggies will return home for a contest with Kennesaw State on Oct. 13 at 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).