Aggies look to head into CUSA Championship with victory over UTEP.
Source: NMSU Athletics
Story and Photo By Emilio Garcia for NMSU: Courtesy
After beginning the season back on August 9 in an exhibition against Cochise College, NM State is back home for one final contest in the regular season. The Aggies will host rival UTEP in the Battle of I-10 on Thursday, Oct. 31, at 6 p.m. MT.
How to Follow
Who: UTEP Miners (2-11-4, 2-5-1 CUSA)
Where: Las Cruces, N.M. | NM State Soccer Complex
When: Thursday, Oct. 30, 6 p.m. MT
Live Statistics: nmstatestats.com
Stream: ESPN+
Winning Ways
In 2023, the Aggies made a strong first impression in Conference USA. NM State put together a 6-0-2 record in league play en route to a regular-season CUSA championship. The 2023 Aggie squad produced just the 10th undefeated regular season in CUSA history and was the first to do so in their inaugural year in the conference.
This season, the Aggies have put together a 5-2-1 CUSA record, most recently securing a 2-1 victory over LA Tech on Sunday. NM State now stands at 11-2-3 all-time in CUSA contests, and 6-0-2 in home matchups.
With the win on Sunday, the Aggies notched their 10th win of the season – their third straight with 10 or more victories in a season under Head Coach Rob Baarts. Prior to Baarts’ arrival in Las Cruces, NM State had just one 10-win season in 2011.
Aggie Accolades
Ahead of the 2024 campaign, a trio of Aggies were named to the CUSA All-Preseason Team, including reigning CUSA Player of the Year and Offensive Player of the Year Loma McNeese, reigning CUSA Defensive Player of the Year Xitlaly Hernandez and 2023 Second Team All-CUSA selection Ariana Leamons.
In 2024, the Aggies have won six Conference USA Weekly Awards. In total they have tallied 11 CUSA Weekly Awards since joining the conference on July 1, 2023. The Aggies won two Player of the Week awards on Sept. 17th, when junior Jena Johannes and redshirt sophomore Valerie Guha were tabbed CUSA Defensive player of the week and Goalkeeper of the week, respectively.
Most recently, defender Jena Johannes was tabbed Defensive Player of the Week (Oct. 1) for the second time this season following a pair of wins over Western Kentucky and Middle Tennessee.
McNeese Magic
Scoring her eighth goal of the season in the 75th minute of a 2-1 victory over LA Tech on Oct. 27, graduate forward Loma McNeese became NM State’s all-time leader in goals with 27, surpassing Aileen Galicia who played for the Crimson & White from 2015-2018. On Sept. 26 against Western Kentucky, McNeese broke Galicia’s record for career points at NM State, with 63. Taking home the 2023 CUSA Player of the Year and Offensive Player of the Year awards, McNeese is putting together another strong season, tallying eight goals and a trio of assists for 19 points throughout the season.
The Sherwood, Ore., native has played a large role in NM State’s success in conference play, scoring or assisting in five of the seven CUSA contests she has played in. Against Kennesaw State on Oct. 13, McNeese tallied her third assist of the season and 16th of her career – tying teammate Bianca Chacon for the most in program history. McNeese missed the first game of her collegiate career on Sept. 29, as the Aggies defeated CUSA foe Middle Tennessee 1-0.
In her career, McNeese also ranks among the program’s best in game-winning goals (7, tied for first), penalty kick goals (2, tied for second) and multi-goal games (3, tied for second).
VAL-ient Effort
Since taking over the starting goalkeeper role in 2023, redshirt sophomore Valerie Guha has been a force for the Aggies in the net. This season, Guha has posted three shutouts and holds nine clean sheets in her career. On the season, Guha ranks second in CUSA in saves with 66, and third in goals allowed with 23.
In her career, Guha ranks second among Aggie goalkeepers in wins (18) and shutouts (9), while second in GAA (1.33) and sixth in all-time saves (116).
Phreshman Phenoms
Throughout his tenure with the Aggies, NM State Head Coach Rob Baarts has utilized the recruiting trail well to set his program for success. 2024 has proven to be no different, as a trio of true freshmen have turned into consistent contributors.
Midfielder Andrea Alvarenga has worked herself into an increased role tallying one goal, four assists and nine shots in 519 minutes on the season (418 since the start of Conference USA play). Defender Ariana Ellison has played in all 17 NM State contests, totaling 1,102 minutes – the seventh most on the team and best among freshmen. On Oct. 13, Ellison scored her first collegiate goal in a 2-0 win over Kennesaw State.
Forward Milana Eyrich has suited up in all 17 NM State contests, earning her first collegiate start on Sept. 8 against UC Davis. Recording her first goal at NM State against Liberty on Oct. 6, the Sahuarita, Ariz., native now ranks third on the team in goals (3), fourth in points (7) and shots on goal (7).
History
The Aggies and Miners have met 13 times on the pitch, with UTEP holding a 10-3 edge in the all-time series record. NM State has tallied back-to-back wins over the Miners, most recently a 2-0 road victory in El Paso in 2023.
Scouting the Miners
The Miners are led by head coach Gibbs Keeton in his second season at the helm. Keeton’s record at UTEP sits at 7-19-7 (3-8-4 in CUSA). For the season, UTEP holds a 5-8-3 record overall, with a 2-5-1 mark in Conference USA action. In non-conference action, the Miners tallied wins over Texas A&M – Commerce, Texas A&M – Corpus Christi and Texas Southern.
Freshman forward Ana Quintero leads the Miners offensively, pacing the team in goals scored (5) and points (10), while junior forward Mina Rodriguez holds the team lead in shots (31) and shots on goal (11).
Graduate student Tionna Taylor commands the net for UTEP as of late, recording 5 starts and 545 minutes played on the season, recording 26 saves with a 1.16 GAA and seven goals allowed.
On the season, UTEP has allowed 16 goals (1.00 GAA), while recording 12 goals and eight assists.
Up Next
Following the completion of the regular season, the Aggies will head out to Miami, Fla., for the CUSA Championships, held Nov. 6-10 and hosted by FIU. 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).