NM State set to host five home matches to begin the year. (Photo: Courtesy)
Source: NMSU Athletics
NM State opens the 2024 season hosting #23 USC on Aug. 15 at 7 p.m. at the NM State Soccer Complex. This will be the first time that the Aggies have hosted a Big Ten opponent in program history, and just the second time NM State has played host to a power conference program, playing against Arizona State in the 2023 home opener.
Record Watch
Entering the 2024 season three Aggies have made quite a splash in the Aggie record book. Loma McNeese currently sits at second in all-time assists and game-winning goals. She is also third in points, third in shots, and fourth in goals.
Xitlaly Hernandez has continued climbing the record book in her five seasons wearing the crimson and white. She is sixth in all-time assists, seventh in shots, tenth in points and tenth in goals. Goalie Valerie Guha ranks second in all-time shutouts, sixth in goalkeeper wins, seventh in goals against average and tenth in career saves.
2023 in Review
Last season, the Aggies put together a 6-0-2 record in conference games – a first in program history. This also became the tenth undefeated conference record in CUSA history, and the first for a first-year member. NM State last lost a conference game on Oct. 9, 2022, falling 3-1 on the road against former WAC foe Utah Tech.
Going undefeated in conference play the Aggies managed to be crowned the regular season CUSA Champions. However, the Aggies fell to Liberty in the Conference Tournament Championship game.
At the Helm
CUSA Coach of the Year Rob Baarts returns for his seventh season at the helm of the Crimson & White program, while assistant coach D’Angelo Garciareturns to the sidelines for his third season with NM State.
New Associate Head Coach Stacie Owers joined the Aggie program this spring after two seasons as the head coach at Rhodes College, an NCAA DIII program in Memphis, Tenn. The Aggies also welcome a familiar face in former student-athlete Bella Garcia as she enters her first year with the program as a Graduate Assistant.
In the opening match of the 2024 Season, the Aggies will make history hosting a Big Ten opponent for the first time. It is also the first match that USC will play in as a member of the Big Ten. This is also the second time the Aggies have hosted a power-four conference team in program history, playing host to Arizona State in last season’s home opener.
History
USC and the Aggies have faced each other on one other occasion, coming last season when the Aggies fell 3-0 in Los Angeles. Mya Hammack played in all 90 minutes of the match. Bianca Chacon recorded two shots with one on goal. USC’s Maribel Flores, Helena Sampaio and Kayla Colbert all recorded goals in the game last year.
Scouting the Lady Trojans
USC is returning their top three scorers in Kayla Colbert, Maribel Flores and Helena Sampaio who each had six goals on the year. Their top returning goalie Bella Grust who played in three games last year recorded just one save. The Lady Trojans are entering the 2024 season ranked #23 in the United Soccer Coaches poll after making it to the second round of the 2023 NCAA tournament.
Up Next
The Aggies will host UNM in the Battle of I-25 at the Soccer Athletic Complex, on Sunday, Aug. 18 at 1 p.m. 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)
