BROOKINGS, S.D. – The New Mexico State women's soccer team dropped a 4-0 decision at South Dakota State on Sunday to wrap up the non-conference portion of its schedule.
 
The Aggies (1-6-2) were pressured early by the Jackrabbits (8-3) who scored in the 11^th minute for a 1-0 lead. After the goal, NM State was able to work its way into South Dakota State's defensive third repeatedly, but Jody Hernandez's shot in the 28^th minute was the only scoring opportunity the Aggies found.
 
Then, SDSU's smothering defense quickly turned into offense as it added goals in the 37^th and 44^th minutes to take a 3-0 lead into the halftime break.
 
Coming out of the break, Dmitri Fong was immediately tested in goal but she was there for a save in the 46^th minute. However, South Dakota State added onto its lead in the 52^nd minute on a goal by Leah Manuleleua.
 
The Aggies continued to struggle against a very good Jackrabbit defense as the half went on with Jess McDow recording NM State's first shot of the half in the 62^nd minute. Then, Hernandez nearly had her first goal of the year but her shot in the 74^th minute from 10 yards was stopped by Smither.
 
From there, SDSU controlled the rest of the match and New Mexico State fell 4-0 to finish its non-conference schedule. Fong made six saves on the afternoon.
 
The Aggies are back in action when they begin Western Athletic Complex play with a pair of home matches, first against GCU on Friday, Oct. 4, at 4 p.m. (MT) and then against California Baptist on Sunday, Oct. 6, at 1p.m. As always, students receive free entry to NM State home matches with a valid student I.D.
 
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