A strong offensive push was not enough for the New Mexico State soccer team after losing to the University of Nevada Las Vegas Rebels 3-2.
The Aggies started strong in the first half desperately seeking that first goal but could not get past the defense. Rebound after rebound, the Rebels gained their momentum after goalkeeper Hanne Breur punted the ball across the field where the Aggie defense lost it on the bounce. Rebel forward Cassie Villanueva capitalized on the bounce and chipped it right over freshman Aggie keeper, Karolanne LaFortune. Minutes later, LaFortune redeemed herself after setting her team up for the equalizer.
The Aggies offense set up for the free kick and junior Bianca Chacon caught the Rebel defense off guard with a quick pass to senior Gianna Valenti for her second goal of the year. NMSU had all the momentum on their backs and quickly took the lead.
LaFortune continued to provide defensively with a punching save to help the Aggies push the ball back up the field. NM State increased their offensive pressure until one blocked shot was called back with a handball to set up the penalty kick for the Aggies. Chacon faced off against Breur in what could possibly be the difference maker of the game. With a silent crowd filling the atmosphere at the NMSU Soccer Complex, Chacon tallied her second goal of the game, with a shot to the top corner, and the Aggies took the lead 2-1.
What seemed like a breath of relief, the Aggie defense fought hard to keep the same momentum, clearing the ball out of their half of the field. It was not until the final seconds of the half, when Rebel player, Marley Salveter set up teammate Michelle Madrid to barely sneak a header past LaFortune to tie the game at two.
Under pressure to tie the game, the Aggies struggled to get their offensive rolling in the second half. In minute 15 of the half, the momentum shifted after another unlucky bounce was chipped by Villanueva for her second goal of the game to put the Rebels up 3-2.
In the last few minutes, desperate times called for desperate measures. The Aggie offense continued to lead into the UNLV half of the field to put shots on Breur. NM State had one last opportunity, but freshman Shila Rasoul just missed and hit the top right of the crossbar. LaFortune kept the Aggies in play, but the offense failed to find the net and the game ended with Rebels taking it 3-2.
“I think we’re asking [LaFortune] to do an awful lot, but [Coach Rob Baarts] got some solid players,” NMSU athletic director Mario Moccia said. “There’s a bulk of the WAC [Western Athletic Conference] championship team on this current team.”
Moccia says preseason is not meant to be easy for them. Preseason is meant to prepare for conference play to make another shot at a conference championship.
“You know, hard fought game, but I do have all the confidence in [Coach Rob Baarts], our players, and I’m excited about the rest of the year,” Moccia said.
The Aggies have two more non-conference games remaining, one against I-25 rival UNM on Sunday, Sept. 10 at 1:30 p.m. Their second is another PAC-12 matchup against the University of Southern California Trojans. After these two games, the team will return to Las Cruces to play in its first Conference-USA matchup against Louisiana Tech. Coverage will be streamed on ESPN+.
