RIDGELAND – Sophomore Morgan Taylor scored two goals to give her a team-leading six on the year and Northwest knocked off north division leading Holmes Tuesday afternoon, 2-1, at M&F Bank Stadium.

With the win, Northwest moved into the thick of the playoff race in improving to 2-2-1 in the division and 3-7-1 overall. Holmes dropped to 5-4 overall and 3-2 in league play. 

Northwest broke a scoreless tie in the 23rd minute when Taylor drilled in a direct kick from just outside the box over the head of Lady Bulldog keeper Kaitlyn Romei.

Holmes had a chance to tie it up just 10 minutes later when Northwest was whistled for a foul inside the box. But Kelli Brewer stepped up with one of her seven saves on the day in denying Lady Bulldog standout Vanessa Gaytan on the penalty kick attempt.

The Lady Rangers would ride the lead into the second half where Taylor again scored in the 62nd minute off a beautiful cross into the box from Alex Driver to give Northwest a 2-0 advantage.

Gaytan got another stab at a penalty kick in the 70th minute, this time scoring on Brewer to pull Holmes within 2-1 with 20 minutes remaining.

Brewer came up with two more big saves in the 72nd and 76th minutes, the only real threat late in the game, as Northwest held on for a huge road win.

Holmes outshot Northwest 17-13 and the shots-on-goal were even at eight apiece.

Northwest will close the year with three of its final four matches at home, returning to Senatobia Friday to host Itawamba at 2 p.m. Follow live stats here: http://www.sidearmstats.com/northwestms/wsoc/