LOS ANGELES, Calif.- NM State continues its challenging non-conference slate this week with a trip to face perennial Big-Ten power USC. The Aggies enter the matchup eager to build on their early season lessons and test themselves against one of the nation's elite programs who are currently ranked fifth among all other teams.
WHO: NM State at USC (0-1-1)
WHERE: Los Angeles, Calif.
WHEN: 3 p.m. MT
Last Year's Record…
The Aggies finished third in the CUSA regular season standings with a record of five wins, two losses, and two ties. They also went 1-for-2 in the CUSA tournament held at FIU in Miami, Fla., after defeating Jax State in the first round to qualify to the CUSA semi finals where they fell to Liberty in the final minutes of play.
Last Game...
The Aggies hosted the Arizona Wildcats for the first time at the NM State Soccer Athletic Complex. Though NM State was able to fend off Arizona in the first half of the match, two late goals from the Wildcats would ultimately set the loss for the Crimson and White as they fell 0-2.
Preseason Watchlist…
Jena Johannes was named to the 2025 Preseason All-Conference team after her spectacular defensive performance last season. With a strong outing against Gonzaga on Sept. 12 and Middle Tennessee on Sept. 29, she was able to pick up two Defensive Player of the Week honors for the Aggies. Last year, Johannes ranked also second in minutes among all Aggie field players.
Guess Who's Back, Back Again…
The Aggies were able to return 22 players from last year's roster and tacked on nine newcomers. Returning in the box is Valerie Guha, who had an incredible season last year as she picked up a Goalie of the Week award against Gonzaga on Sept. 12. Coming back from a severe injury which kept her off the field last year is Bianca Chacon. Chacon previously led the Aggies in season assists before Alum, Loma McNeese. The El Paso midfielder will be a strong asset off the ball. This also includes four other individuals who earned a spot in the starting lineup in more than half of the team's contests last season as Marlee Cavitt, Jena Johanes, Meredith Scott and Ariana Ellison. In total, the Aggies bring back a total of 60.6% (11,941/19,706) of the team's minutes from a season ago.
One of Us…
NM State includes just one transfer athlete, Amaya Simoni-Walters, from Saint Mary's College. She competed in three seasons for them and played in eight matches last year. The team also consists of eight freshmen to fill out the rest of this year's roster. These players include Ainsleigh Thomson, Evelyn Grossman, Doriela Norzagaray, Esme Arenas, Arleth Arroya, Sophie Rush, Tessa O'Neill, and Yayu Wu who is from Taichung, Taiwan.
Bianca is Back...
Bianca Chacon, who missed all of last year due to injury, last played a major role for the CUSA Champion Aggies during the 2023 season. In 2023, she led the Aggies in assists (seven) and currently ranks second in program history in career assists (16). After a year long recovery, she enters the field for the Crimson and White once again.
Meredith Making Her Mark...
Meredith Scott has scored four goals in the Aggies' last six contests, dating back to the regular season finale against UTEP (Oct. 31, 2024).
THATS OUR KEEPER! ...
Valerie Guha was named CUSA Goalkeeper of the Week after her 10th career shutout last Sunday. With this performance, she becomes only the second Aggie in program history with double-digit shutouts (Makenna Gottschalk, 14). She has now moved into fifth in all-time saves. Guha is also tied with former Aggie, Loma McNeese, for most weekly awards won by NM State as a member of CUSA.
Against the Trojans...
The Aggies have faced the Trojans just twice in program history. Last season, NM State held USC to a draw as Meredith Scott would punch in the tying goal for the Crimson and White as the clock expired.
The Trojans are currently led by forward Maribel Flores, who has finished with three goals and one assist in the opponents' last two matches.
Watch the Aggies...
The game between the two opponents will be hosted by the Trojans in Los Angeles, California. Fans can watch on Big Ten Network at 3 p.m. MT to support our Aggies.
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).
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