Thalia Chaverria.Photo:Instagram/thaliachaverria

New Mexico State Soccer Player, 20, Found Dead Days After Birthday

Instagram/thaliachaverria

Thalia Chaverria, a 20-year-old junior at New Mexico State who played on the school’s women’s soccer team, has died.

New Mexico Stateannounced the news Tuesday, stating that Chaverria passed away suddenly the day before. The school did not offer further details about her death.

“The New Mexico State community is very tight-knit, and this tragedy is felt throughout. Our most sincere thoughts and prayers go out to Thalia’s family and friends in this time of mourning," per the school’s statement.

TheLas Cruces Policesaid in a news release that Chaverria was found unresponsive at her residence Monday morning and that they and the New Mexico medical investigator’s office are currently investigating the death.

“About 7 a.m. Monday, July 10, Las Cruces police and fire personnel were dispatched to the report of an unresponsive woman at a home on the 2400 block of El Dorado Court in Las Cruces. The woman, identified as 20-year-old Thalia Chaverria, was deceased."

The police’s statement continued: “At this point, investigators have no reason to believe Chaverria’s death is suspicious or the result of criminal activity.

“The Las Cruces police and fire departments extend their condolences to Ms. Chaverria’s family, teammates, friends and the entire New Mexico State community.”

Chaverria had just turned 20 on July 2 and was entering her third year with the Aggies, according to New Mexico State.

“The sudden loss of Thalia has completely rocked our Aggie soccer families' world,” said New Mexico State head soccer coach Rob Baarts in a statement Tuesday. “T was an inspiration and rock to this team. She will be missed but not forgotten. Her spirit will be with us everyday, on and off the pitch. I will always love you T!”

Chaverria, who hailed from Bakersfield, California, played defender for the Aggies women’s soccer team. According to her rosterbiographyvia the school athletics' website, Chaverria played in 20 games last year as a sophomore totaling 1,787 minutes — the fourth most on the team. In all but two games, Chaverria played all 90 minutes during that season as well as put up three shots and recorded two assists.

“[She] helped the team to its first conference title in school history after three shutout victories in the WAC Tournament,” per her bio.

According toBakersfield.com, Chaverria graduated from Frontier High School in Bakersfield two years ago and was named three times as BVarsity All-Area.

Chaverria’s family has established aGoFundMe. As of Thursday morning, the fundraiser has generated over $28,000.

“No one ever thinks or prepares to [lose their] child or the unexpected expenses. This is to help with it all and the transport of Thalia in New Mexico to get her back home to California and to help the family while they take this time to process. Anything will help at this time.”

source: people.com