Aggies Knock Off Gonzaga 1-0 in Non-Conference Finale

Washington native Sydnee Johnson records her first goal of the season to lead the NM State win.

Source: NMSU Athletics (Photo: Courtesy)

NM State closes out non-conference play with a 1-0 win over Gonzaga on Sept. 12 in Spokane, Wash. This was the Aggies first shutout victory since Nov. 3, 2023, against Sam Houston in the CUSA Tournament semifinals.

In the 13^th minute of the game, the Aggies took the lead thanks to a goal from junior Sydnee Johnson. Loma McNeese started the action in the midfield, launching a ball deep into Gonzaga territory, where Shila Rasoul drew the Bulldogs’ goalkeeper out of the box, giving Johnson an empty net goal. This became the junior’s fifth career goal, and first of the season.

The Bulldogs rallied to end the half, putting up four shots in the final ten minutes of action, though the Crimson & White came away unscathed.

At the end of the first half, the Aggies kept hold of their 1-0 lead. Both teams recorded eight shots in the first half. The Bulldogs led the Aggies in shots on goal (4-3), while NM State held the advantage in saves (4-2), fouls (8-3) and corner kicks (2-1).

Despite rampant pressure from the Bulldogs, the Aggies managed to hold on to the one-goal lead in the second half, securing their second road win of the season. This became Gonzaga’s first home loss of the season, dropping their record to 3-3-1. Gonzaga led the Aggies in shots (21-12) and shots on goal (10-4), while also being called offsides eight times. The Aggies however led the Bulldogs in saves (9-3), fouls (15-10) and corners (5-3).

Guha recorded a season-high nine saves on the night, just one short of tying her career-high 10 saves. Loma McNeese led the team in shots with four and shots on goal with two. Both Shila Rasoul and Johnson recorded two shots with Janae Shaklee, Marlee Cavitt, Brooke Schultz and Jena Johannes all recording one shot, with Shaklee recording her second shot on goal of the season.

Guha, Mya Hammack and Johannes all played in 90 total minutes. Hammack is leading the team in minutes behind keeper Guha. After playing 47 minutes in her NM State debut last Sunday against UC Davis, junior Jaiden McClellan made her first start for the Aggies. In total, the midfielder played 64 minutes.

NM State will enter Conference USA play against Sam Houston on Sept. 19 at 5:30 MT in Huntsville, Texas. 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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