Match Six
NM State (2-2-1, 0-0-0 CUSA) vs. Pacific (3-1-1, 0-0-0 WCC)
Sunday, Sep. 3 | 1:00 p.m. (MT) | NM State Soccer Complex | Las Cruces, N.M.
 
LAS CRUCES, N.M. – Following an emotional game that marked the first draw of the season for both teams on Thursday, NM State (2-2-1, 0-0-0 CUSA) returns to the field for their fourth straight home game, this time playing host to the Pacific Tigers (3-1-1, 0-0-0 WCC).
 
Kick off between the Aggies and Tigers is slated for 1 p.m. Fans can Fans can follow along with the action thanks to livestats. This marks the second and final weekend with a pair of Aggie home games on the schedule, with every other week featuring a single game or one road game.
 
NM State's first season of play in CUSA kicks off September 17, with a home game against the Louisiana Tech Lady Bulldogs. The Aggies will play an eight-game conference schedule, with six teams advancing to the CUSA Championship, hosted by Louisiana Tech in Ruston, Louisiana November 1-5.
 
Match Recap | NM State 0 Incarnate Word 0 | 8.31.23
 

• Playing without starting forward Bianca Chacon, the Aggies attacked early, recording a pair of shots within the first 16 minutes of action, including a powerful drive from the right side of the field by Meredith Scott that was turned away by the Cardinals goalie.
• Karolanne Lafortune made her third straight start, recording a pair of saves in the first half to keep the game knotted at zero.
• The Aggies' best scoring chances of the match came late in the second half, with NM State putting up five shots in the final 15 minutes of action. In the 84^th minute, CUSA Preseason Offensive Player of the Year Loma McNeese came inches away from providing her second game-winner of the season, her shot flying just above the Cardinals goalie and falling behind the goal.
• Lafortune notched her second straight clean sheet, and the Aggies defense provided another game with tough defense, allowing Incarnate Word just two shots on goal.
• In three games against non-Power Five opponents, the Crimson & White have allowed just one goal, posting a 2-0-1 record in the process.

 
Scouting the Tigers
 
The Tigers are led by Head Coach J.J. Wozniak, currently in his third season with the program. He's led the team to a 20-10-14 record during his time in Stockton, including a 3-1-1 mark on the year. Last year, the Tigers went 7-10-3 on the season, with a 2-3-4 record in conference play, playing a BYU squad that advanced to the round of 16 at the 2022 NCAA tournament to a draw.
 
2022 WCC All-Honorable Mention Jaida Nyby leads the Tigers in goals with five, while recording the most shots (23) and shots on goal (13) of any Pacific student-athlete. Replacing 2022 All-WCC Honorable Mention Brenna Crump at goalie, true freshman Libby Davy now commands the net for the Tigers. In five games, she's allowed ten goals while tallying 20 saves.
 
The Tigers are 3-1-1 on the season, currently riding a two-game winning streak after picking up a home win over UC Santa Barbara and a 3-1 decision over Oregon State in Corvallis.
 
History vs. Pacific
 
The Aggies and Tigers have only one prior meeting, in 2018 – the first home game for NM State soccer under Head Coach Rob Baarts. Dropping the game 2-1, Samantha Afonso was the lone Aggie to score.
 
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 38 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+. The Aggies' 2023 non-conference home slate includes Arizona State, CS Fullerton, Incarnate Word, Pacific and UNLV. Louisiana Tech will be the first CUSA match for NM State on September 17.
 
Watch the Throne
 
While leading the Aggies to their first WAC title in program history is the crowning jewel of their time at NM State, Loma McNeese and Xitlaly Hernandez have provided outstanding offensive impact throughout their time in Las Cruces. Heading into the season, the pair have already breached the top-ten lists in multiple offensive categories, with room to climb even higher.

• Loma McNeese currently sits in seventh place on the career goals list with 14, tying Yolanda McMilion for sixth all-time with her next goal. Recording three points in the season opener, the senior forward is tied with McMilion in career points with 36 (14 goals, eight assists).
• After securing the game-winning goal in the season opener against Portland State, McNeese moved into a four-way tie for second place, sporting five career game-winning goals. Compiling eight shots through the first five games, she now sits in ninth place all-time in career shots, with room to race the record books.
• After scoring the game-winning goal against Cal State Fullerton, Xitlaly Hernandez sports ten career goals, tying Crystal Burns for eighth-most all-time. Her 106 career shots now give Hernandez sole possession of sixth place. With one assist this season, the graduate student will move into a three-way tie for second place on the career assists list.

Leading the Way
Every team depends on the leadership of its veterans, relying on their experience and preparation for the game-changing moments. This season, the Aggies have called upon their veterans when needed most, and they have produced. Of the four goals and two assists the Aggies have produced this season, all have come from student-athletes who are juniors and above. Senior Gia Valenti, senior Loma McNeese, junior Bianca Chacon and graduate student Xitlaly Hernandez are tied for the season lead in goals, while Chacon and McNeese lead the team in assists with one apiece.
 
KL'ing It
Thrust into the starting role following a late scratch in the home opener against Arizona State, true freshman Karolanne Lafortune broke out on the collegiate stage in a big way. In just her second career start against Cal State Fullerton, 'KL' recorded her first clean sheet, tallying a new career-high of six saves in the process. The very next game against Incarnate Word, 'KL' came through for the Aggies once again, collecting a pair of saves and posting her second straight shutout. With two clean sheets in her first three games, Lafortune is now tied for eighth in career shutouts at NM State.

New Places, New and Old Faces
 
As the Aggies head into a new conference for the first time in the program's history, lots of change is expected. Makenna Gottschalk, the Aggies' all-time leader in saves, graduated and now plays professionally in Austria for FC Pinzgau. 2023 All-WAC Second Team defender Landy Williams has also moved onto her post-NM State career, joining Gottschalk in suiting up to play for FC Pinzgau.  
 
One area that should provide plenty of familiarity for the Aggies is the offensive end. Following a season with 32 goals scored, NM State returns 94% of its offensive production – including 86% of the team's assists from a season ago.
 
The Aggies also welcome a slew of newcomers – nine in total – who look to make their mark while wearing the Crimson & White. Ariana Leamons joins NM State after competing at the JUCO level for two seasons with Phoenix College, totaling 42 goals and 35 assists in just 39 games. A 2022 NJCAA Division II All-American, she helped her school to an 18-2-1 record and their second NJCAA Division II Championship. Emma O'Neill comes to Las Cruces via the Sun City and El Paso High School, where she earned the 2022 District 1-5A defensive MVP along with a Second Team All-City nod. In 2023 she helped her school to a 21-5 record and their second straight 5A Regional appearance after recording 14 goals (second on the team) and seven assists.
 
Louisiana transfer Carolina Rodriguez adds experience to the NM State backline, appearing in 33 games (seven starts) over two seasons with the Ragin' Cajuns. Before making her way to the U.S., Rodriguez was a member Zaragoza CFF of the Segunda Federación – a second-tier women's soccer league in Spain – where she helped her team to league championships in 2017-18 and 2019-20.
 
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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