New Mexico State sets 2023 soccer schedule

In following up its first-ever NCAA Tournament appearance, New Mexico State has announced its 2023 soccer schedule. It includes 17 games, its first foray into Conference USA and a game at New Mexico.

Coach Rob Baarts' program, which went 13-5-3 last year, plays an Aug. 10 home exhibition against two-year Cochise College, then opens Aug. 17 at Portland State. After an Aug. 20 match at Texas Tech, the Aggies open at home Aug. 24 against Pac-12 Arizona State.

New Mexico also returns to the Aggies' schedule after the two schools skipped last year with a Sept. 10 showdown in Albuquerque. The Lobos lead the series 10-1.

A Sept. 14 match at Southern Cal is the nonconference finale. Of the eight C-USA foes, six -- Florida International, Jacksonville State, Liberty, Louisiana Tech, Middle Tennessee and Western Kentucky -- will be first-time opponents. The Aggies have played rival UTEP 12 times in 13 years, and Sam Houston is a former Western Athletic Conference opponent.

The Conference USA postseason tourney is Nov. 1-5 at Ruston, Louisiana, hosted by Louisiana Tech.

New Mexico State's program is staggered by the death on Monday of 20-year-old Thalia Chaverria, a rising junior defender from Bakersfield, California who had 20 starts last season. NMSU said Tuesday it has arranged for grief counselors to be available to its student-athletes through the Aggie Health and Wellness Center "to assist them in dealing with this tragedy."

August

8/10 – vs. Cochise College (Exhibition)

8/17 – at Portland State

8/20 – at Texas Tech

8/24 – vs. Arizona State

8/27 – vs. Cal State Fullerton

8/31 – vs. Incarnate Word

September

9/3 – vs. University of the Pacific

9/7 – vs. UNLV

9/10 – at New Mexico

9/14 – at USC

9/17 – vs. Louisiana Tech (CUSA)

9/21 – at UTEP (CUSA)

9/24 – vs. Middle Tennessee (CUSA)

9/30 – at Liberty (CUSA)

October

10/8 – at Jacksonville State (CUSA)

10/12 – vs. Florida International (CUSA)

10/22 – vs. Sam Houston (CUSA)

10/27 – at Western Kentucky.

November

Conference USA Tournament Nov. 1-5

*Home Matches Listed in BOLD