Opening up Conference USA play from the friendly confines of the NM State Soccer Complex, the Aggie’s played host to FIU - facing off for the first time since the 2024 season.
Following a scoreless first half, the Crimson & White found the back of the net in the second half while denying multiple Panther scoring opportunities to close out the 1-0 home victory.
The home side earned their first corner kick less than 50 seconds into the match, with Milly Eyrich posting her first of a season-high three shot attempts. NM State kept up the offensive pressure in the first half, tallying six shots, the most in a first half for the Aggies this season.
“We’re finally putting it together,” said NMSU head coach Rob Baarts. “We’ve been trying to figure out how to get 17 new players connected and the best positions for everyone. It was a tremendous, gritty performance by our team, and I think we’re putting together a better offense and creating a lot of good things.”
A chippy contest saw the Panthers draw their first of three yellow cards of the night in the 17th minute. The FIU offense continued to scratch and claw in the opening 45 minutes, putting up six shots of their own, forcing NM State goalkeeper Karolanne Lafortune into a pair of first half saves.
At the break, the teams were tied in shots (6-6), while the Aggies held a slight edge in both saves (2-1) and corner kicks (2-1), trailing FIU in fouls (7-4).
The tense first half spilled over into the second frame, with both sides earning a yellow card within the first seven minutes of play. Sydnee Johnson and Milly Eyrich challenged FIU goalie Valery Restrepo into making saves, trying to find the advantage.
Collecting a deep ball off the foot of senior defender Kennedy Herrera, Eyrich located the bouncing ball over her head, taking a no-touch left-footed strike that swept past the Panther keeper and into the back of the net. This was Eyrich’s first goal of the season and put NMSU ahead 1-0.
FIU kept up the fight, confronting Lafortune at the net and forcing a trio of saves, but the NM State defense stayed strong and secured the win.
With the conference opening victory, NM State moves to 2-1-1 all-time in CUSA openers, including a 2-0-1 mark at home. Since joining the conference in 2023, the Aggies hold a record of 7-2-5 (.679 winning percentage) in home CUSA bouts.
The Aggies hit the road for the first time since Sept. 6, taking on the Owls of Kennesaw State on Thursday, Oct. 1. This marks the first matchup between the teams since 2024, a 2-0 victory for NM State in Las Cruces. First kick is slated for 4 p.m. MT, with the match streamed live on ESPN+, with live stats for Thursday’s match available at nmstatesports.com/stats.
