A New Mexico State University soccer player who was preparing for her junior year died unexpectedly only days after her 20th birthday.
Thalia Chaverria was discovered unresponsive in her New Mexico home on Monday morning and was confirmed dead by rescue personnel.
On July 2, she turned 20 and was about to begin her junior year at New Mexico State, as well as her third season as a defender for the Aggies women’s soccer team.
“Yesterday, we lost an amazing young woman, and we are deeply saddened by the untimely passing of a member of our Aggie family,” New Mexico State Director of Athletics Mario Moccia said in a statement Tuesday.
“Thalia had a vibrant personality and those who were fortunate enough to spend time with her knew she had a bright future ahead of her.”
The Las Cruces Police Department responded to Chaverria’s home at about 7 a.m.
According to local sources, Las Cruces cops are investigating her death but have “no reason to believe Chaverria’s death is suspicious or the result of criminal activity.”
According to Moccia, the loss of the student athlete is felt throughout the “very tight-knit” community at New Mexico State.
After three shutout victories in the WAC Tournament her sophomore year, Chaverria helped her team win its first conference title in school history.
She also saw the fourth-greatest amount of time on the field among her teammates last season.
“The sudden loss of Thalia has completely rocked our Aggie soccer families’ world,” head soccer coach Rob Baarts said. “T was an inspiration and rock to this team. She will be missed but not forgotten. Her spirit will be with us every day, on and off the pitch. I will always love you T!”
Friends of Chaverria’s family have started a GoFundMe campaign to raise money for her parents to transport her body from New Mexico to her hometown of Bakersfield, California.
“She was a sister to her two brothers, a daughter and a loving dog mom to her fur babies,” the organizers wrote of the college student. “She was loved by many. Her long beautiful curly hair and smile will forever be embedded in our memories.”
