New Mexico State soccer pulls off impressive comeback against No. 23 USC to start season

New Mexico State (0-0-1) drew No. 23 USC (0-0-1) 2-2 at home on Thursday evening’s season-opening contest. The match marked the Aggies’ first time hosting a Big Ten opponent.

The Trojans took a 1-0 lead in the first half on a goal in the 20th minute from senior forward Maile Hayes. USC took its lead into halftime and doubled it in the 59th minute off a goal from senior midfielder Maria Alagoa.

Then, the Aggies came back in the final 13 minutes. Sophomore defender Kennedy Herrera scored her first NM State goal in the 77th minute that cut the Trojans’ lead to 2-1, and then equalized on a 90th-minute goal from junior midfielder Meredith Scott. Senior defender Mya Hammack made a defensive stop that started a counter-attack leading to a shot from graduate midfielder Xitlaly Hernandez that was parried to Scott for a tap-in finish.

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Next, the Aggies face in-state rival New Mexico at home at 1 p.m. Sunday. NM State will host the Lobos for the first time since 2019.

This article originally appeared on Las Cruces Sun-News: New Mexico State soccer pulls off impressive comeback against No. 23 USC to start season