Continuing their dominance in the Conference USA, the NMSU women’s soccer team secured its fifth consecutive win after shutting out the Jacksonville State Gamecocks 2-0. The Aggies came into the contest with an undefeated record in conference play and retained their number one standing.
To start the match, both teams pushed hard up the field to secure the ball, waiting for an opportunity to shoot. In the first 15 minutes, the Aggies’ defense was tested before redshirt freshman Valerie Guha saved two quick shots.
Firing on all cylinders, the Jacksonville State offense kept pressure on the Aggies’ defense as they became fatigued and attempted to protect the goal. Guha remained a force at the post and recorded another save with just minutes left in the half. At this point, the Aggies had been outshot 9-1 and desperately needed to wake up.
The Aggies came into the second half ready to take care of business and protect their undefeated record. Within the first five minutes of the half, JSU’s Arndís Eggertsdóttir fouled Loma McNeese in the box for a penalty kick. After the play, Eggertsdóttir received a yellow card potentially putting the Gamecocks in jeopardy. As McNeese starred the JSU goalie in the eyes, she sent the ball into top corner to put the Aggies up by one.
Needing to protect the lead, the Aggies’ offense desperately had to facilitate a change and provided just moments later. The Aggies retained possession of the ball and junior Ariana Leamons set up McNeese for her second goal of the game and increased the lead to 2-0.
Inching closer to another record-breaking win, the Aggies rode their momentum and the offense persisted with multiple shot attempts and defended their lead. With time wounding down, the Aggies emerged victorious by a final score of 2-0.
By the end of the competitive contest, the teams recorded a total of five yellow cars with four belonging to JSU and one from NMSU’s junior Mya Hammack.
After recording her first brace– two goals in one game– of the season, Loma McNeese now tallies 18 career goals and reaches fifth place in program history of most career goals. After her sixth career game-winning goal, McNeese also moves up to second place in total game-winners in program history.
The Aggies will return to Las Cruces for the final two home games of the season before the conference tournament. The Aggies will face Florida International on Thursday, Oct. 12 at 7 p.m. followed by Sam Houston on Sunday, Oct. 22 at 1 p.m.
