LAS CRUCES, N.M. – Sophomores Adriana Chavez and Aileen Galicia led the offensive barrage Monday afternoon at the soccer athletic complex as the Aggies dominated Cochise College, 9-0, in their exhibition match before opening the 2016 season.
 
"Our girls came out and played well," head coach Freddy Delgado. "They executed a lot of the things we went over in preseason. It was a great confidence builder. They didn't start off out nervous; they went in and took the bull by the horn…they got after it. Part of that was being able to keep possession in the attacking half."
 
Ironically, it was Sarina Stockton that opened the scoring spree for NM State as the sophomore defender booted in a ball off the rebound of Micaela Milavec's shot that hit the top crossbar at the 8:52 mark. Soon after, Milavec found a Galicia racing down the middle of the box for NM State's second goal.
 
The Aggies held position on their attacking half of the field for a majority of the first half – as well as the game – before Chavez opened up a scoring clinic against the Apache defense. The Rio Rancho, N.M., product gave the Aggies a 4-0 edge heading into halftime when she blasted in her second goal at the 33:21 mark on a pass from freshman Valerie Maestas.
 
Chavez completed the natural hat-trick less than two minutes into the second half when Danielle Smith served her up from the right side. Not to be outdone, Galicia scored back-to-back goes within four minutes to match Chavez. Her first of the two goals came by way of Chavez while her second score came off the foot of Smith.
 
Despite the match beginning to slow down with substitutes coming in and out, the Aggies were able to communicate well on the pitch and held possession on their offensive half.
 
Freshman Tuti Tirado was persistent in her attack in the latter half of the match, scoring on her second attempt thanks to a great through ball from Alexandria Otero. Las Cruces native and freshman Kyleigh Cox sealed the deal later on as NM State finished with a dominating 9-0 victory.
 
The Aggies held a 9-0 edge in corner kicks against the Apaches and held them without a shot the entire 90 minutes of play. Freshman Raeann Garcia started in goal for NM State and teamed up with Ashley Martin, who started the second half, for the shutout.
 
The NM State women's soccer team is set to opens its 2016 season this Friday, Aug. 19, against I-10 rival UTEP at 7 p.m.

Thoughts post match from head coach Freddy Delgado. #AggieUp pic.twitter.com/UtfuN91U9E

— NM State Soccer (@NMStateWSOC) August 15, 2016