NEWARK, Del. – For the first time since 2024, NM State returned to the Conference USA Women's Soccer Championship, opening up from Stuart & Suzanne Grant Stadium on Sunday night against No. 4 FIU. Following a scoreless first half, the Aggies battled back from a 1-0 deficit to secure a 2-1 victory and advance to the CUSA Semifinals on Tuesday against Liberty.
The first half saw 18 shots between the two squads, including six on goal for the Panthers and five by the Aggies.
Karolanne Lafortune tallied her first save of the night in the early goings of the contest, while both teams recorded corner kicks in the first 15 minutes of play.
Sydnee Johnson recorded the first shot on goal of the night for the Aggies, forcing a save by All-CUSA Third Team selection Valery Restrepo. NM State would continue to challenge the senior keeper, with
Eva Martin finding the Aggies' best scoring opportunities in the opening 45 minutes, posting a pair of shots on goal that came just short of finding the back of the net.
Junior
Daniela Portillo entered the contest as halftime approached and went to work offensively, attacking the net with a pair of shots on goal with less than three minutes to go.
The Panthers put together one final scoring chance in the last 60 seconds of the opening stanza, though Lafortune would deny FIU and send the game into intermission with a 0-0 tie.
At the break, NM State led in corner kicks (2-1) and saves (6-5), while trailing in shots (10-8).
Following a goal just over three minutes into the second half by the Panthers,
Esme Arenas tallied the equalizer, chasing down a ball knocked towards her by
Eva Martin and
Kennedy Herrera. This became the sophomore's first goal outside of penalty kicks this season, and her team-leading third on the year.
Charging hard toward the box,
Sydnee Johnson was met by FIU's Restrepo, with both players going down for an extended amount of time. However, both would continue with the contest.
The offensive pressure kept mounting for the Crimson & White, matching their first-half corner kick total in the first 18 minutes of half two.
Johnson would come up big for the Aggies in the 72
nd minute, attacking a ball floated over the top of the FIU defense by
Rachel Haan, powering it home with a left-footed strike that got by the Panther keeper for the Renton, Wash., natives third goal of the season.
NM State keeper
Karolanne Lafortune recorded her 11
th and final save of the night in the last minute of the contest, neutralizing the Panthers' scoring threat.
As the final buzzer sounded, NM State emerged victorious, 2-1. With the win, the Aggies advance to the CUSA Women's Soccer Championship semifinals. 11 saves match a career high by Lafortune, set on Aug. 20, against Abilene Christian. 19 total shots tallied by the Crimson & White is the second most in a game this season (20, v. Sam Houston), and the most in a postseason match since Nov. 4, 2022, against Seattle (19).
Fifth-year Aggie
Sydnee Johnson tied her career best in shots (5), while tallying a new career high in shots on goal (3).
QUOTABLES
Head Coach Rob Baarts, following the CUSA Championship win over FIU: "It was the grit we talked about all year. We've really been building from the beginning, with our non-conference schedule being so hard before getting into conference play. We had a couple of, little falters in conference play, but I felt like we were always kind of on that path to where we're at now. We have a lot of belief, we have a lot of players in a really good place right now, and we're starting to score. That's our second straight two-goal game, so it's like 'let's go'. If this is the time we're going to do it, let's do it right now."
Head Coach Rob Baarts, on what Sydnee Johnson and Esme Arenas bring to the team: "I mean, the energy she brings in her speed and her tenacity, she just doesn't go away. If you're a defender or center back, you just don't want to deal with someone like that. And then you combine that with Esme [Arenas] running around her, it just makes it really difficult to play."
Graduate forward Sydnee Johnson, on her game-winning goal and the team's play in the Sunday night victory: "I'm really proud of the fight we showed tonight. Everyone kept working for each other right up to the final whistle! Time to keep the momentum going for the semifinals!"
Sophomore forward Esme Arenas, on her game-tying goal: "It was such a surreal moment! I was beyond excited to help us get back in the game after being down a goal. Being able to help my team advance to the semifinals makes me incredibly proud, especially after battling hard to find the back of the net. I'm so proud of this team and the effort we put in to bounce back, fight together, and never give up."
UP NEXT
Win the win, NM State advances to the Conference USA Women's Soccer Championship semifinals, matching up with the top-seeded Liberty Flames on Tuesday, Nov. 10. The Aggies and Flames are set for their third meeting all-time in the conference tournament, and second consecutive in the semifinal round. First kick is set for 5:00 p.m. MT, streaming live on ESPN+, with live stats available at nmstatesports.com/stats.
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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