El PASO, Texas - Four second half goals, including three by senior Shea O'Connor, gave NM State a 5-0 victory against Chicago State at University Field on Friday night in El Paso. The win improved the Aggies to 1-3 overall and 1-0 in the WAC. This was the first time the Aggies have won its WAC opener since 2016 when they also defeated Chicago State.

The Aggies would get on the board thanks to a goal from junior Corey Kizer in the 25th minute to give the Aggies a 1-0 advantage heading into the break. In the second half, it was the Shea O'Connor show, as she scored three goals all within eight minutes of each other. O'Connor's first goal was off of a free kick and the next two goals were on assists by sophomore Hannah Leitner. Sophomore Xitlaly Hernandez would add icing on the cake for the Aggies with a goal in the 85th minute on an assist by sophomore Jordan Gregory.

O'Connor was the first Aggie to record a hat trick since 2017 when Devin Hart and Aileen Galicia each recorded a hat trick against Chicago State.

The Aggies dominated nearly every facet of the match, as they held a 16-2 advantage in shots and a 9-1 advantage in corner kicks. O'Connor and Kizer each took four shots on the night while Hernandez took three shots.

The two teams will be back in action on Monday at 11:30 a.m. at University Field in El Paso. The game will be streamed live on the WAC Digital Network.

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