New Mexico State University (NMSU) is mourning the unexpected death of their 20-year-old star soccer player.
The talented junior, Thalia Chaverria, a defender for the Aggies women’s soccer team, was found unresponsive on Monday, July 10 at her New Mexico residence and was pronounced dead by emergency services.
Chaverria, who had celebrated her 20th birthday on July 2nd, was looking forward to starting her junior year at NMSU and participating in her third season with the Aggies.
The University’s athletic director, Mario Moccia, delivered a statement on Tuesday, July 11, expressing his grief over Chaverria’s unexpected death. He highlighted her vibrant personality and underscored the profound loss felt by the university community.
As the Las Cruces Police Department delves into the circumstances surrounding Chaverria’s death, local news outlets report that there seem to be no signs of foul play or suspicious circumstances.
Chaverria’s loss is deeply felt by the tight-knit NMSU community. She was a vital member of the women’s soccer team, instrumental in securing the school’s first conference title by achieving three shutout victories in the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) Tournament in her sophomore year. She also had the fourth-highest playing time among her teammates in the previous season.
Head soccer coach at NMSU, Rob Baarts, conveyed his sorrow over the sudden loss. He described Chaverria as a source of inspiration to the team, whose spirit would continue to be a motivating factor both on and off the field.
To help with the costs of transporting Chaverria’s remains from New Mexico to her home city of Bakersfield, California, friends of the Chaverria family have initiated a GoFundMe campaign. They fondly remember her as a cherished sister, daughter, and pet lover.