Following a scoreless first half at Stuart & Suzanne Grant Stadium, FIU struck first in the 49th minute when Barbara Garcia headed in a cross from Adria Kitzinger.
By Levi Gwaltney for Las Cruces Digest
Source: Conference USA
Photos: Courtesy NMSU Athletics
NEWARK, Del. — New Mexico State University’s women’s soccer team overcame a second-half deficit Sunday, November 8, scoring twice in an 18-minute span to defeat Florida International University 2-1 in the quarterfinals of the 2026 Conference USA Women’s Soccer Championship.
The fifth-seeded Aggies advanced past fourth-seeded FIU behind goals from Esmerelda “Esme” Arenas Cejas and Sydnee Johnson, earning a semifinal matchup against top-seeded Liberty on Tuesday, November 10.
Following a scoreless first half at Stuart & Suzanne Grant Stadium, FIU struck first in the 49th minute when Barbara Garcia headed in a cross from Adria Kitzinger. The goal, Garcia’s first since 2023 after missing two seasons because of injury, gave the Panthers a 1-0 advantage.
New Mexico State responded less than six minutes later.
At the 53:45 mark, Arenas Cejas scored her third goal of the season, assisted by Kennedy Herrera and Eva Martin, to tie the match at 1-1.
The Aggies completed the comeback in the 72nd minute when Johnson scored her third goal of the season at 71:39, converting a pass from Rachel Haan. The goal proved to be the game-winner as New Mexico State maintained its advantage through the final whistle.
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Aggie goalkeeper Karolanne Lafortune recorded 11 saves, tying for the second-most by a goalkeeper in a Conference USA Championship match.
The contest was closely matched statistically. NMSU finished with 19 shots, including 11 on goal, while FIU recorded 18 shots, with 12 on goal. The Aggies held a 7-1 advantage in corner kicks.
FIU goalkeeper Valery Restrepo made nine saves, tying her career high. Panthers senior Mariana Barreto recorded six shots, all on goal.
The victory followed postseason recognition for two New Mexico State freshmen.
Filucca Daugaard and Zoey Gist were named to the 2026 CUSA All-Freshman Team ahead of the tournament.
Daugaard, a native of Horsens, Denmark, appeared in all 18 regular-season matches, starting 16 and playing 1,232 minutes. Originally a forward, she moved into the midfield during the season and scored her first collegiate goal October 18 against Missouri State.
Gist, a Tucson native and Canyon Del Oro High School graduate, appeared in all 18 matches with 15 starts, accumulating 1,126 minutes. She finished second on the team in both shots and shots on goal during the regular season.
The Aggies entered the tournament without a player selected to the All-CUSA first, second or third teams, joining Sam Houston as the only championship participants without those distinctions.
New Mexico State will face top-seeded Liberty on Tuesday, November 10, at 5 p.m. Mountain Time at Stuart & Suzanne Grant Stadium in Newark, Delaware, with a berth in the Conference USA championship match at stake.
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