Match Fifteen
NM State (8-5-1, 5-0 CUSA) vs. FIU (7-3-3, 2-0-2 CUSA)
Thursday, Oct. 12 | 7 p.m. (MT) | NM State Soccer Complex | Las Cruces, N.M.
 
LAS CRUCES, N.M. – Over the past four seasons, NM State (8-5-1, 5-0 CUSA) has seen unprecedented success on the soccer field, thanks in no small part to this year's crop of seniors – Hannah Draper, Bella Garcia, Xitlaly Hernandez, Loma McNeese, Megan Ormson and Gia Valenti. On Thursday, Oct. 12, the Aggies will honor these six seniors ahead of a contest with FIU (7-3-3, 2-0-2 CUSA).  
 
While FIU joins the Aggies without a loss in CUSA play, NM State is the only team that has won every contest. The Aggies have also blossomed into one of the most dangerous offensive teams in the conference, leading CUSA in points (39, 7.8 per game) goals (13) and assists (13).
 
First kick between the Aggies and Panthers is scheduled for 7 p.m. MT. Fans can follow along thanks to StatBroadcast.
 
As the lone members of CUSA undefeated in conference action, the Aggies are in the driver's seat for the number one seed in the 2023 CUSA tournament, held November 1-5 in Ruston, La. – home of Louisiana Tech. The top six teams in the standings will qualify, and NM State leads second-place Sam Houston by six points with three matches remaining. The two teams will square off in the final home game of the season for the Crimson & White on Sunday, Oct. 22 at 1 p.m.
 
Match Recap | NM State 2, JAX STATE 0 | 10.8.23
 

• Already cementing herself as one of the greats in program history, Loma McNeese took it upon herself to add another mark on her career – recording her first brace as NM State knocked off Jax State 2-0 in Jacksonville.
• Spending lots of time in the attacking half of the field, the Aggies were able to frustrate the Gamecocks into drawing a foul inside the penalty box on Loma McNeese. Lining up to take the first penalty kick in her 74-game NM State career, the senior from Sherwood, Ore. calmly put the ball past a lunging keeper with her right foot, giving NM State the 1-0 edge.
• Never satisfied, McNeese went to work moments later, collecting a deep pass by junior Ariana Leamons and outworking her defenders to fire an off-balance shot toward the goal. With Bailey Dean off her line to disrupt the shot, the ball was able to roll into the far left corner to give the Aggies their second goal in the span of 68 seconds.

 
 
Scouting the Panthers
 
Head Coach Jonathan Garbar leads the Panthers, currently in his fourth season with the team. Posting a 34-15-6 mark in three seasons at DII Franklin Pierce, Garbar sports a 15-32-9 record with FIU. This season, the Panthers are 7-3-3, with a 2-0-2 mark in CUSA play, with both ties coming in their last two contests. Ithaisa Vinoly was named the CUSA Goalkeeper of the Week after recording a clean sheet against Liberty on Saturday.
 
Junior Nikole Solis leads the team in goals scored with eight, while Sophomore Kim Schneider boasts a team-high four assists.
 
Ithasia Vinoly has spent all but 28 minutes in the net for the Panthers, allowing nine goals (0.71 GAA) while recording 37 saves. With a save percentage of .804, she has posted six shutouts through the team's first 13 contests.
 
History vs. FIU
 
This is the first meeting all time between NM State and FIU. The Panthers program began in 1985, while the Aggies began play in 2009.  
 
I Got Five On It
 
Starting their CUSA season on Sept. 17 against LA Tech, NM State has posted a five-game winning streak – their first such streak of the season. This is the longest unbeaten streak in the conference, and the best start to conference play for a first-year CUSA member since Houston in 1998.
 
Back-2-Back
 
Following her brace in last Sunday's 2-0 win over Jax State, senior forward Loma McNeese was named the CUSA Offensive Player of the Week for a second consecutive week. "It's a great feeling being recognized as a threat offensively", said McNeese. "But without the rest of my team executing, I don't get those same opportunities. So credit to my teammates!"
 
McNeese becomes the first Aggie to earn back-to-back conference Player of the Week honors since goalkeeper Dmitri Fong in 2017, and the first-ever for Offensive Player of the Week.
 
Queen B
 
Following a five-goal, nine-assist season in her sophomore campaign, junior Bianca Chacon has provided NM State with instant offense in the attacking half of the field. Recording three assists through her first eight games of the season, junior Bianca Chacon entered a tie with Hannah Leitner for the most in program history with 12. In the 85^th minute of a Sept. 17 contest against LA Tech, Chacon fired a shot from just inside the box on the right side of the field, banging the top of the crossbar. Shila Rasoul followed the ball, easily heading it in off the rebound to give the Aggies a 4-2 edge.
 
Adding another assist on a free kick in the 26^th of an Oct. 2 matchup against RV Liberty, Chacon lined up for a free kick in the 26^th minute, Chacon increased her season total to four goals and seven assists – leading the Crimson & White in both categories.
 
With 16 career assists, Bianca Chacon now stands alone in the NM State record books.
 
Let's Get Physical
 
Led by Head Coach Rob Baarts', the Aggies are not afraid of a little contact and physical contests. Through 14 games this season, NM State leads CUSA in fouls per game, picking up 11.85 per contest. This is the preferred method of play for the Crimson & White, sporting a 7-3-1 (.682) record in games where they record more fouls and a 1-2 (.333) mark in contests where fouls are tied or worse.
 
Super SAC
 
Last season, the Aggies posted the first undefeated home record in program history, going 7-0-2 from the friendly confines of the NM State Soccer Athletic Complex. Since opening in 2012, NM State has recorded 41 victories from their home field. Numerous improvements have been made to the place Aggie soccer calls home, including a shaded home base for the game operations crew, flood lights, and an upgraded, customizable lighting system. New for this season, the area behind the team benches has been completely relandscaped, giving the Soccer Athletic Complex a facelift ahead of the five home contests streaming on ESPN+.
 
NM State now has just two contests remaining from the NM State Soccer Complex – an Oct. 12 Senior Day matchup with FIU, and the final home match of the season Oct. 22 against fellow CUSA newcomer Sam Houston.
 
Watch the Throne
 
While leading the Aggies to their first WAC title in program history is the crowning jewel of her time at NM State, Loma McNeese has provided outstanding offensive impact throughout her time in Las Cruces. Through fourteen games, the Sherwood, Ore. native has totaled five goals and four assists, vaulting herself up the Aggie record book.

• Recording two goals in the span of 68 seconds against Jax State, Loma McNeese currently holds sole possession of fifth place with 18 career goals. Following the first penalty kick goal of her career, she collected a deep pass by junior Ariana Leamons and outworking her defenders, McNeese fired an off-balance shot toward the goal. Now boasting 47 career points (18 goals, 11 assists) the senior forward is sixth in program history, and just two points behind Devin Hart (17 G, 11 A) and three behind Audriana Chavez (19 G, 8 A).
• After sinking the first penalty kick attempt of her career against the Gamecocks, McNeese freed herself from a four-way tie for second place, now alone with six career game-winning goals. Leading the team with 27 shots through fourteen contests, she now sits sixth all-time in career shots, totaling 109 through four seasons with the Crimson & White.
• Narrowly outside the top ten in career assists entering the season, McNeese's four helpers on the year have propelled her upwards, now sitting in a tie with Devin Hart (2013-2017) and Crystal Burns (2009-2010) for third all-time with 11 assists. Hannah Leitner (2019-2021) is second on the career list with 12, and Bianca Chacon sits atop the throne with 16 assists.

Leading the Way
Every team depends on the leadership of its veterans, relying on their experience and preparation for the game-defining moments. This season, the Aggies have called upon their upperclassmen when needed most, and they have produced. Of the 59 points the Aggie offense has produced this season, 18 goals and 15 assists have come from student-athletes who are juniors and above. Senior Loma McNeese leads the team with five goals scored, while Bianca Chacon leads NM State in assists with seven.
Gia Valenti is tied for second in goals scored with three, while McNeese is second on the team in assists with four. Brooke Schultz has recorded two goals and an assist during conference action, Ariana Leamons has posted a goal and two assists, Megan Ormson tallied an assist and a goal in wins over UTEP and RV Liberty, Tati Jerman punched in her first goal of the season against UTEP, and Xitlaly Hernandez recorded the game-winning goal against Cal State Fullerton.
 
Missed But Not Forgotten
 
Just a short time ago, the NM State soccer program lost an important member of its family. On July 11, junior defender Thalia Chaverria suddenly passed away at the age of 20. Thalia was entering her third season with the program.
 
Head Coach Rob Baarts said "T was an inspiration and rock to this team. She will be missed but not forgotten. Her spirit will be with us every day, on and off the pitch."
 
True to Coach Baarts' word, Thalia will not be forgotten as the team will honor her with a patch worn on the shoulder of each Aggie this season. The patch will feature Thalia's number on the field (2) and her initials (TC) in white text surrounded by a black circle.
 
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