EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — New Mexico State is back on the road for the final time in the 2024 season, heading east to take on the LA Tech Bulldogs on Sunday, October 27th at noon MT.
How to follow
Who: LA Tech Bulldogs (2-8-5, 0-5-2 CUSA)
Location: Ruston, Louisiana | Robert Mack Carruthers Field
Date and Time: Sunday, October 27th, Noon, Montana
Live stats: nmstatestats.com
Conference USA Play
In 2023, the Aggies made a strong first impression in Conference USA. New Mexico State posted a 6-0-2 record in league play en route to the regular season CUSA Championship. The 2023 Aggie team became the 10th in CUSA history with an undefeated regular season record and the first to do so in the conference’s first year.
This season, the Aggies are 4-2-1 against CUSA, most recently coming off a 4-1 win over Jack State on Saturday night. Sunday’s matchup will be the Aggies’ final road contest before playing their final regular season game against UTEP on Oct. 31. New Mexico State currently has an overall record of 6-0-2 in home CUSA competition.
Aggie Award Winner
Ahead of the 2024 campaign, a trio of Aggies including CUSA Player of the Year and Offensive Player of the Year Loma McNeese, CUSA Defensive Player of the Year Citoralee Hernandez, and 2023 Second Team All- Named to the CUSA All-Preseason Team. -CUSA Selection Ariana Leamons.
In 2024, the Aggies won six Conference USA Weekly Awards. Since joining the conference on July 1, 2023, the Aggies have won a total of 11 CUSA Weekly Awards. On Sept. 17, the Aggies won two Player of the Week awards, with junior Jenna Johannes and redshirt sophomore Valerie Guha named CUSA Defensive Player of the Week. This week’s goalkeeper and goalkeeper respectively.
Most recently, defenseman Jenna Johannes was named Defensive Player of the Week for the second time this season (October 1) after two wins against Western Kentucky and Middle Tennessee.
mcniece magic
Crimson College player Eileen Galicia scored her fifth goal of the season in the 29th minute of a 2-1 win over Western Kentucky on September 26, and graduate forward Loma McNeese scored 63 points. He became New Mexico State’s all-time leading scorer. & White from 2015 to 2018. McNeese, the 2023 CUSA Player of the Year and Offensive Player of the Year, is having another strong season, scoring 17 points with seven goals and three assists.
McNeese, a native of Sherwood, Oregon, has played a big role in New Mexico State’s recent success, scoring or assisting in six of the past eight games he has played. Last Saturday, McNeese scored two goals that propelled her up the standings. Her 26 goals tied her with Irene Galicia for the most goals in program history. Against Kennesaw State, McNeese recorded her third assist of the season and 16th of her career, tying her with teammate Bianca Chacon for the most in program history. McNeese missed the first game of his college career on September 29, as the Aggies defeated CUSA rival Middle Tennessee, 1-0.
During his career, McNeese also scored in game-winning goals (7 points, tied for 1st), penalty goals (2 points, tied for 2nd), multi-goal games (3 points, tied for 2nd), and goals (26 points, tied for 2nd). It ranks among the program’s best records. first of all).
VAL-ient initiatives
Since taking over the starting goalie role in 2023, redshirt sophomore Valerie Guha has been a force at the net for the Aggies. Guha has recorded three shutouts this season, tied for third most in CUSA this season, and has nine clean sheets in his career.
During his career, Guha ranked second among Aggie goalies in wins (17) and shutouts (9), tied for second in GAA (1.34), and ranked seventh in career saves (109). are.
Freshman phenomenon
Throughout his tenure with the Aggies, New Mexico State head coach Rob Bartz has successfully utilized recruiting routes to set up a program for success. 2024 will be no different. Three true freshmen have become steady contributors.
Midfielder Andrea Alvarenga has played an added role since the start of Conference USA play, recording one goal, two assists, and seven shots in 352 minutes. Defender Arianna Ellison played in all 16 of New Mexico State’s contests, playing a total of 1.031 minutes. This is the seventh most on the team and the best among freshmen. On October 13, Ellison scored his first collegiate goal in a 2–0 win against Kennesaw State.
Forward Milana Eirich played in all 16 of New Mexico State’s contests, making her first collegiate start on September 8 against UC Davis. After scoring her first goal Oct. 6 in a game between New Mexico State and Liberty, the Sahuarita, Ariz., native scored her second career goal and first game-winning goal in a 4-1 win over Jacksonville State. was recorded.
history
The Aggies and Bulldogs have met on the field five times, with Los Angeles Tech holding the all-time record in the series with four wins and one loss. New Mexico State earned its first win against the Bulldogs last season with a 4-3 decision in the Aggies’ first game against CUSA.
bulldog scout
The Bulldogs are led by head coach Steve Volz, who is in his fourth season. Volz’s record at LA Tech is 21-36-14 (9-16-8 in CUSA), and his overall record is 23-52-14.
LA Tech has an overall record of 2-8-5 this season and a 0-5-2 record in Conference USA play. In non-conference play, the Bulldogs had wins over Jackson State and Arkansas State.
Fifth-year defender Kari Matlock leads the Bulldogs’ attack, pacing the team in points (3) and points (6), while sophomore forward Kayla Taylor has shots on goal (24) and shots on goal. (13), which leads the team.
Redshirt sophomore Cadence Rutledge commanded the net for Los Angeles Tech, playing 900 minutes this season and making 10 starts, posting 46 saves, a 1.30 GAA and four shutouts.
For the season, Jacks State tallied 10 goals and just two assists while allowing 25 goals (1.67 GAA).
to the next
The Aggies return home for their final regular season game against UTEP on Thursday, October 31st. The first kick is scheduled for 6 p.m. Montana time. For complete coverage of New Mexico State women’s soccer, visit NMStateSports.com, the official home of Aggie Athletics, follow us on Twitter (@NMStateWSOC), Instagram (@nmstatewsoc) and on Facebook (New Mexico State Women’s Soccer) Please “Like!”
