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Aggies, Oh Aggies!
Senior Night
Mike Martinez
1
FIU FIU (7-3-4, 2-0-3)
1
New Mexico St. NMSU (8-5-2, 5-0-1)
FIU FIU
(7-3-4, 2-0-3)
1
Final
1
New Mexico St. NMSU
(8-5-2, 5-0-1)
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
FIU FIU 1 0 1
New Mexico St. NMSU 1 0 1

Game Recap: Soccer | | NM State Athletics Media Relations

Battle Between NM State and FIU Concludes in Draw

After allowing early goal, the Aggies bounced back to earn a draw.

LAS CRUCES, N.M. – The Aggies (8-5-2, 5-0-1 CUSA) put forth a spirited effort on Thursday night as they earned a 1-1 draw against a tough FIU (7-3-4, 2-0-3 CUSA) squad who entered the night as the only other CUSA squad without a loss in league play.
 
Offensively, the Aggies were led by back-to-back CUSA Offensive Player of the Week Loma McNeese who recorded her fourth goal in the last three games. Helping McNeese was senior Gia Valenti and junior Brooke Schultz who each recorded an assist on McNeese's goal.
 
In goal, Valerie Guha came up with three saves and managed to hold the Panthers scoreless for the final 85 minutes of action.
 
FIRST HALF
Following the Aggies' pregame senior ceremony, FIU proved to the Aggies they would be in for a fight just five minutes into the game as Kim Schneider score the contest's first goal of the night.
 
The visiting squad continued to apply pressure to the Aggie defense as they earned four corner kicks in the first 30 minutes of action. Finally, the Aggie offense was able to break through off of a free kick played into the box by Brooke Schultz. From Schultz's kick, Gia Valenti had the first crack at the goal, however, her shot ricocheted off the cross bar and back into play. The ball then bounced into the area of Loma McNeese who headed in the equalizer in the 37th minute.
 
Just two minutes later, FIU threatened again, however, Aggie goalkeeper Valerie Guha was up to the task and saved the Noemi Paquin shot to send the two sides into the break all even on the scoreboard.
 
SECOND HALF
The two sides were equally aggressive in the second half – with the Aggies' first opportunity coming in the 57th minute when Loma McNeese sent a looping shot in that nearly sailed over the FIU goalie, but the keeper leaped to punch the ball over the top of the frame.
 
In the 72nd minute, the Aggies' Shila Rasoul nearly put in the game-winner, however, the FIU goalie snagged the strike from the freshman attacker. A little over 10 minutes later, the Panthers' Nikole Solis tested the Aggies with a shot that Valeria Guha had to handle.
 
The Aggies nearly came up with the game-winner during the final minute of the game when Gia Valenti was inches away from playing hero. However, the FIU goalie fended off NM State's last-minute attack.
 
NUMBERS OF NOTE
  • The Aggies' lone goal-scorer, Loma McNeese, registered a goal for the third straight match and has now tallied five since CUSA play began. With the goal, McNeese also became the team's leader in points on the season with 15.
  • On the goal, Gia Valenti tallied her first assist of her senior season while Brooke Schultz collected her second helper of the season.
  • With the goal in the fifth minute of action, the Panthers put an end to a stretch of 223 consecutive minutes in which Valeria Guha and the Aggie defense had not given up a single goal.
  • The tie is the second of the season for Rob Baarts and the Aggies – one shy of last year's total. This also moves the Aggies to a 4-2-2 record on their home turf.
  • With a trio of saves on Thursday night, Guha now leads the Aggies in saves during the 2023 campaign.
  • Thus far, the Aggies have scored exactly 12 goals in both the first and second halves.
  • Loma McNeese's three shots on goal against the Panthers is tied for second most by an individual this season. McNeese also registered 90 minutes of action for the first time since Aug. 31 when she played the full 90 against UIW.
 
UP NEXT
Following over a week away from competition, the Aggies will resume play on Sunday, Oct. 22, when they host Sam Houston in what will be the final home game of the season. Tickets for next Sunday's game are available for purchase at NMStateSports.com. Fans unable to attend the game can follow along via ESPN+ or with live stats via StatBroadcast.
 
After the home finale, the Aggies will head to Bowling Green, Ky., to take on Western Kentucky in the final regular season of the year. The matchup with the Hilltoppers will precede the CUSA Tournament which will be hosted by LA Tech in Ruston, La., from Wednesday, Nov. 1, through Sunday, Nov. 5.
 
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