SENATOBIA – The Northwest women's soccer team continued its hot streak as of late in division play, knocking off Itawamba Friday afternoon 2-0 behind a pair of goals from freshmen Samantha Beard and Allie Hodges. 

Northwest improved to 4-7-1 overall and 3-2-1 in north division play, the Lady Rangers' most wins in conference play since the 2006 season. Itawamba fell to 4-10 overall and 2-4 in the north.

Beard gave Northwest the early lead just 5:27 into the first half, beating ICC keeper Shania Cruse to the upper right corner off a great assist by Sarah Bishop for her fifth goal of the year.

The Lady Rangers struck again less than two minutes later when Hodges kneed in a Morgan Taylor corner kick past Cruse for her first collegiate goal and a 2-0 lead.

The lead would hold true into halftime and through the second half, as Northwest dodged two shots off the post from Jamie Wallace and Ashley Malone in the 35th and 70th minutes to earn the victory and improve to 3-0-1 in its last four division matches. 

Itawamba owned a 15-8 shot advantage (5-4 SOG) but was held scoreless by Kelli Brewer between the posts who earned her second shutout of the year with five saves.

Northwest will return to the pitch on Monday, hosting Gulf Coast in a 1 p.m. non-divisional match.