BOULDER, Colo. — NM State looks to snap a two-match skid as it heads to face Colorado on Thursday night. The Aggies aim to rebound from Sunday's setback at USC while taking on the Buffs squad riding a three-game win streak.
 
WHO: NM state (1-3-0) at. Colorado (3-0-1)
WHERE: Boulder, Colo.
WHEN: Thursday, Aug 28 at 7p.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 traveled to Los Angeles to face perennial program, USC Trojans. The No. five nationally ranked team held NM state to their second shutout of the non-conference season and outshooting the Crimson and White 36-2.
 
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' season thus far, 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 Buffs...
This will be the first time these two teams have faced each other in Aggie history.
 
Colorado has won three matches so far, punching in a total of 20 goals and leading the Big 12 conference in scoring. They also currently lead the conference in total saves, blocking 16 shots on goals to prevent their opponents from scoring.
 
Leading the charge for the Buffaloes is forward Hope Leyba who has powered in seven goals with a .538% shooting percentage.
 
Watch the Aggies...
The game between the two opponents will be hosted by the Buffaloes in Boulder, Colo. Fans can watch on ESPN+ at 7 p.m. MT to support our Aggies.
 
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