PORTALES, N.M. - The Eastern New Mexico University women's soccer team begins its 2025 campaign on the road against Northwestern Oklahoma State. Kick-off is slated for 1 p.m. (MST) / 2 p.m. (CST) at the Ranger Soccer Field in Alva, Okla.
SERIES INSIGHT
• This marks the first meeting between the Greyhounds and the Rangers.
• Eastern has not won its opening match since Aug. 25, 2023, where the Greyhounds defeated CSU Pueblo 1-0 in Pueblo, Colo.
ABOUT HEAD COACH NONA BORDEN
Nona Borden was named head coach of Eastern New Mexico women's soccer in February 2025.
Borden previously served as interim head coach from October 2024 until her appointment in February 2025. The Durham, N.C. native joined ENMU women's soccer in August 2024 as an assistant coach.
Borden came to Portales after holding a graduate assistant position for internal operations in the North Carolina Central University (NCCU) athletics department. In their role, Borden oversaw the travel and purchase cards processes and working with coaches and staff members regarding travel and budget reconciliation. Additionally, Borden helped manage the complimentary ticket process for both football and basketball, while assisting the football staff with campus tours, coordinated unofficial visit complimentary tickets for prospective student-athletes and guests, and assisted visiting football personnel to provide support for visiting players families and guests.
While working with NCCU athletic department, Borden worked as a youth soccer coach for North Carolina Football Club. In this role, Borden trained young athletes in the fundamentals of soccer, created lesson plans for practices, and challenged young athletes to improve individually, and collectively.
Prior to pursuing a masters, Borden played four seasons of collegiate soccer at University of North Carolina – Pembroke (Division II). With the Braves program, Borden played 63 games with 50 career starts in midfield or defense. Borden helped the program win back-to-back Conference Carolinas Tournament Championships (2021, 2022), while reaching the NCAA Championships three-times (2019, 2021, and 2022). Academically, Borden earned recognition from Conference Carolinas as Academic All-District team (2022), Academic All-Conference (2021), and Presidential Honor Roll (2021), and a nod on the Peach Belt Conference Team of Academic Distinction (2019).
During their undergraduate career, Borden gained professional experience serving in several positions with the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference, Durham Sports Commission, and NCCU. Borden holds a bachelor of science in exercise and sport science from UNC-Pembroke, while earning a master of science in kinesiology and recreation administration from NCCU.
SCOUTING THE GREYHOUNDS
• The Greyhounds were selected 14th in the Lone Star Conference (LSC) preseason poll, with
Gaia Chies (Offensive),
Cristina Boluda Piqueras (Defensive), and
Rosie Willmott Joyce (Goalkeeper) all being named players to watch.
• ENMU has recruited a smaller first-year class, with 5 individuals taking part of their first collegiate season and 7 returners from last seasons squad.
• Chies,
Louise Godden, and
Mariana Gonzalez Jimenez return for the Greyhounds each with 1 goal apiece last year. Gonzalez Jimenez also leads the returners with 1 assist and 3 points.
• Head Coach
Nona Borden begins her journey at the helm of the Greyhounds after being named the head coach on February 12, 2025. Borden served as an assistant coach for the program from August to October before taking on the role of interim head coach. Two weeks after taking the program over, she led the team to a 2-0 victory over UT Permian Basin. The win marked the first time ENMU had beaten the Falcons since 2019.
• The Greyhounds head to Las Vegas, N.M. Thursday, Sept. 4 for a 12 p.m. match-up with the Cowgirls. Coverage can be found on the RMAC Network.
SCOUTING THE RANGERS
• Northwestern Oklahoma State finished 7th in the Great American Conference (GAC) preseason poll, following a 2-9-7 record, and 0-6-6 GAC record in 2024.
• The Rangers bring back top goal scorers Eli Dang (1g, 2a), Jenna Mills (1g, 2a, 2pts), and Luana San Miguel (1g, 2 pts) as key returners.
• The Rangers will head to Kansas after Thursday's match, taking on Fort Hays State on Sunday afternoon.
