LAS CRUCES, N.M. – The New Mexico State women's soccer team made a steady comeback, but it wasn't enough as it fell to Incarnate Word, 3-2, Sunday afternoon at the Soccer Athletic Complex.
 
The Aggies came out strong in the first half when forward Aileen Galicia took a shot at the goal just 2:40 minutes into play, but was saved by Incarnate Word's Katrina Buck. Following a NM State foul, goalkeeper Ashley Martin was put to the test with a penalty shot from UIW's Isabel Gracia that found the back of the net to put NM State behind 1-0.
 
It was a battle of the offenses in the second half of the match, which started when midfielder Rebecca Mazzie made a great pass to forward Devin Hart, who netted the equalizer for NM State. At the 63:17 mark, Hart made a stellar play to claim her second goal of the game, giving the Aggies a 2-1 lead. Incarnate Word had a rebuttal at the 67:09 minute mark when Sam Batley got the ball in the net, tying up the match, 2-2. Shortly after, Martin and the Aggie defense were bested by UIW's Brooke Hanson when she snuck the ball in for a goal at the 68:44 minute mark. NM State fought back with four more shots at the goal, but none found its way past the UIW defense.      
 
"We didn't follow the game plan," said head coach, Freddy Delgado. "We shortchanged ourselves today and we didn't have a very good performance. I give credit to Incarnate Word for coming out here and playing hard. At the end of the day, we have no one to blame but ourselves for this loss."
 
New Mexico State (4-4-1) remains at home for the fifth week of competition, hosting Northern Arizona Friday, Sept. 15, at 3 p.m., followed by Houston on Sunday, Sept. 17, with kickoff beginning at 1 p.m.