New Mexico State University (NMSU) is mourning the unexpected death of their 20-year-old star soccer player.
Found unresponsive in her New Mexico residence, Thalia Chaverria, who played as a defender for the Aggies women’s soccer team, was declared dead by emergency services.
Having celebrated her 20th birthday on July 2nd, Chaverria was enthusiastically gearing up for her third season with the Aggies and her junior year at NMSU.
Mario Moccia, the university’s athletic director, on Tuesday, July 11, conveyed his sorrow in a statement. He highlighted Chaverria’s vibrant character and underscored the profound sense of loss experienced by the university community.
The Las Cruces Police Department is currently investigating the circumstances surrounding Chaverria’s passing. Based on reports from local news sources, law enforcement suggests there seems to be no indication of foul play or suspicious activity related to her death.
Chaverria’s untimely passing has deeply impacted the NMSU community. A key member of the women’s soccer team, she played an important role in earning the school’s first conference title with three shutout victories in the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) Tournament during her second year. She was also ranked fourth among her teammates for playing time last season.
Expressing his grief over the sudden loss, Rob Baarts, the head soccer coach at NMSU, described Chaverria as a team inspiration. He pledged that her spirit would continue to inspire on and off the field.
A GoFundMe campaign, established by Chaverria’s friends, aims to assist with the costs of returning her remains to her hometown of Bakersfield, California from New Mexico. They affectionately remembered her as a cherished sister, daughter, and pet owner.
