A tie sandwiched between two losses is the closest USC soccer has come to winning a match to start the 2026 season. Nonetheless, with the season just getting started and plenty of opportunities to spark the offense, the Trojans (0-2-1) are in a good place to change their narrative before Big Ten play starts in two weeks.

USC will next take the pitch Thursday night, when it will face New Mexico State (1-3) at 6 p.m. The two teams have struggled to open the year, both on offense and defense, likely to create a competitive playing atmosphere.

The last time the two teams played in Aug. 2025, USC convincingly won 4-0. Whether it’s a shutout or a tight game, the Trojans will look to secure their first win of the season.

Cavitt, O’Neill back Aggies’ defense

Despite a two-win season last year for New Mexico State, the Aggies still managed to bring back two of their best defenders: Seniors Marlee Cavitt and Emma O’Neill. The latter of the two appeared in 13 games last season, including the 2025 match against USC, where she played a then-season-high 53 minutes.

This season, O’Neill has appeared in every match off the bench, yet has failed to exceed more than 30 minutes in each. Nonetheless, the Trojans can expect to see her enter the game later, giving the Aggies a fresh pair of legs in the backline.

Cavitt, the other of the two big-name defenders, is in her third season with New Mexico State, where she looks to continue to establish her defensive presence. The seasoned veteran appeared in 18 matches, starting in 17 last season, racking up the fourth most minutes on the team.

Additionally, Cavitt is a two-sport athlete who also runs track and field in the spring, even winning the 100-meter race at the Conference USA Indoor Championships and the 100-meter and 200-meter races at the outdoor championships. She utilizes her speed to track down opposing forwards on the pitch and consistently play the full 90 minutes.

The two team captains both serve as anchors on defense, protecting senior goalkeeper Karolanne Lafortune. The Canadian goalie appeared in just two matches last season, one being against USC. Lafortune entered the game late, but saved two goals, while allowing none in the final 19 minutes of the blowout.

In 2026, Lafortune fared well, allowing five goals in three games, but saving 24, including a whopping 11-save performance against Abilene Christian (1-1-1) en route to New Mexico State’s shutout and only win of the year.

Trojan offense ready to explode

Between a top recruiting class and previous success against New Mexico State, USC’s offense is bound to show up — and potentially in the same capacity — as it did last time the Trojans faced the Aggies. One of the most memorable goals from that game came from senior defender and forward Hana Mizumoto. In her third season, Mizumoto finally booted the ball to the back of the net in one of the best moments of the 2025 season.

Mizumoto, now entering her fourth and final year with the Trojans, scored her first-ever goal in last year’s matchup. So far this season, Mizumoto has only played in one match, against Pepperdine (2-0-1), where she fouled the Waves’ senior forward Julia Quinonez in the penalty box, which led to Pepperdine’s game-tying goal. Mizumoto was quickly replaced and has not seen the pitch since.

The arrival of freshman forward Rhea Moore, the youngest goal scorer in U.S. women’s pro soccer, has been slightly underwhelming, as the 16-year-old has yet to score and has just one shot on goal throughout the first three matches. Thursday’s game could prove to be the match that ends the cold stretch and could add to her already impressive scoring resume.

Similar to Moore, sophomore midfielder Jaiden Rodriguez hasn’t seen much success this season. While Rodriguez has an assist on the season, her three shots on goal have not found the back of the net. Though if one thing is certain, it is that Rodriguez will shoot the ball, already accumulating the most shots on the team with eight in 2026.

Freshman forward Alyssa Parsons is just one of three Trojans to start every game this season. Her impact on the field has yet to show its full potential, but Thursday’s game could tell a different story given the consistent opportunities she has had over the past two weeks.

USC will take on New Mexico State on Thursday at 6 p.m. at Rawlinson Stadium in hopes of winning its first match of the 2026 season.