McNeese Tallies Brace as Aggies Notch First Road Win of the Season

NM State continues hot start, now stands at 4-0-1 on the season.

Source: NMSU Athletics (Photo: Courtesy)

NM State embarked on their first road trip of the season on Thursday, August 29th as they took on the Pacific Tigers. Taking a 1-0 lead into halftime, the Aggies secured a 3-1 victory to improve to 4-0-1 on the season.

The Aggies took control of the game early, earning the first corner kick and first shot attempt of the night within the first five minutes of action. Shila Rasoul fired a shot from the left side of the field that bounced off the crossbar just in front of the net, denying an early 1-0 lead for the Crimson & White.

The Tigers answered back as the half drew on, with Valerie Guhaposting a season-high three saves in the first 26 minutes of action.

Earning a corner kick in the 30^th minute, the Aggies played the ball out fast from the left side of the field, where Brooke Schultzlaunched a powerful cross into a swarm of Aggies, finding the feet of Carolina Rodriguez to sink it in easily. This was Rodriguez’s first goal wearing the Crimson & White, and the only goal of the first half as the Aggies took a 1-0 lead into the locker room.

At the half, the Aggies led the Tigers in shots by one while the Tigers led the Aggies in shots on goal by one. The Aggies managed to record four corners in the first half edging out Pacific by three.

In the 48^th minute, a foul by the Tigers in the box earned Loma McNeese a penalty kick. McNeese would capitalize on this golden opportunity putting the Aggies up by two. This was the 2023 Conference USA Player of the Year’s first goal of the year and second penalty kick goal of her career.

In the 72^nd minute, the Aggies extended their lead thanks to a goal by Loma McNeese, her second goal of the game. This earned the graduate student her first brace of the season and second brace of her career. The goal came on a corner kick from Schultz as Rodriguez would receive the ball letting it roll to McNeese to put the final touches on it. Both Schultz and Rodriguez were credited with the assist.

Late in the contest, tempers flared on both sides of the pitch, as Xitlaly Hernandez earned a pair of yellow cards, which turned into an automatic red card and ejection.

In the 87^th minute of the match, the Tigers scored their first goal of the night to make the score 3-1.

Schultz recorded two assists on the night for a new single-game high. Rodriguez also recorded an assist, her first of the year and second of her career. The Aggies dominated the game as they led the Tigers in assists (3-1), shots (18-11), shots on goal (10-7) and corners (9-3).

This is the Aggies’ best start to a season since 2017 when they also started 4-0-1. With the win, the Aggies are now on a 13-game regular season unbeaten streak. The Aggies are now 14-2-6 dating back to 2022.

The Aggies will hit the road for the first time this season as they will head west to take on Pacific on Aug. 29. For complete coverage of NM State Women’s Soccer, visit NMStateSports.com – the official home of Aggie athletics – and follow us on Twitter (@NMStateWSOC), Instagram (@nmstatewsoc) and like us on Facebook (NM State Women’s Soccer)

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Levi Gwaltney

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