LAS CRUCES, N.M. — NM State extended its unbeaten streak at home in Conference USA play, earning a 1-1 draw against Delaware on Thursday night at the NM State Soccer Athletic Complex. The result keeps the Aggies without a home conference loss since Oct. 28, 2021, while battling to a hard-fought tie against the Blue Hens which entered CUSA play undefeated.

Following a defensive-oriented first half that saw neither side come up with a goal, the Aggies struck first in the 62nd minute when Ariana Leamons buried a pass from Andrea Alvarenga for her second goal of the season. With the finish, Leamons tied Meredith Scott (2) for the team lead in goals scored, continuing her strong run of form in the Crimson and White. Delaware quickly countered just 92 seconds later, as Constanze Viehmann equalized off a feed from Gabby Riley to make it 1-1.

Despite the Blue Hens holding the best nonconference record in CUSA entering the night, NM State matched them shot for shot, outshooting Delaware 10-7 and generating six second-half attempts. Keeper Valerie Guha and the Aggie defense stood tall against nine Delaware corners, helping preserve the draw and securing another hard-fought point at home.

The Aggies' balanced effort highlighted their ability to challenge one of the league's top teams, with Leamons' scoring and Alvarenga's steady playmaking proving key. With the tie, NM State looks to carry confidence into its next stretch of conference matches while maintaining its stronghold in Las Cruces.

NM State will remain at home on Sunday as they look to face the Liberty Flames at the NM State Soccer Athletic Complex on Sept. 28, at 1p.m. MT.

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 (NM State Women's Soccer).