BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – Following a win in its last outing, NM State faced a tough test Sunday afternoon at the WKU Soccer Complex, ultimately falling 2-0 to Western Kentucky. The loss drops the Aggies to 2-11-3 on the season and 1-2-3 in Conference USA play with one game remaining on the schedule.
 
The Hilltoppers (7-4-3, 4-0-2) struck early, capitalizing on a pair of first-half chances to take control of the match. WKU's Georgia Liapis opened the scoring in the 29th minute, finishing off a pass from Danielle Lewin to give the home side a 1-0 lead. Just six minutes later, Makenna Egan extended the advantage with a goal in the 36th minute, sending WKU into halftime with a 2-0 cushion.
 
The Aggies generated eight shots in total, including three on goal, with Amaya Simoni-Walters and Kennedy Herrera forcing WKU keeper Maddie Davis to come up with a save. Rachel Haan also came close in the final minute, but Davis was up to the task, recording three saves to preserve the shutout.
 
Valerie Guha anchored the Aggie defense with one save on 12 WKU shot attempts, while NM State earned three corner kicks and committed 12 fouls in a physical contest that saw two yellow cards issued to Aggie midfielders.
 
UP NEXT
NM State now readies for a regular season finale on the road at UTEP next weekend. The Battle of I-10 will take place on Saturday, Oct. 25, at University Field, with the start time set for 7 p.m.
 
The Aggies remain just two points back of Missouri State, which currently stands in eighth place in the CUSA standings. Next week's game against the Miners will serve as the final opportunity for the Aggies to secure a spot as one of the eight teams to compete in the single elimination Conference USA Championship on Nov. 5-9 in Lynchburg, Va.

With one game left, NM State will need to earn a win and have Missouri State fall on the road at FIU to move into the eighth spot on the standings.
 
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