SENATOBIA – Paced by two goals apiece from sophomore Morgan Taylor and freshman Samantha Beard, the Northwest women's soccer team picked up its first north division win of the season over East Central on Tuesday, 6-1. 

Northwest improved to 2-5 overall and 1-2 in division play, while East Central fell to 2-7 and 1-2.

The Lady Rangers broke a scoreless tie in the 13th minute when Kayla Kelly sent a shot past the diving Wendy McCracken off a great cross from Taylor for the 1-0 lead.

Taylor would strike for her first goal of the match in the 33rd minute when her shot from 20 yards out deflected over the head of the keeper and into the net, giving Northwest a 2-0 lead at intermission.

Beard scored her first of two goals just 2:53 into the second half, using her speed to beat a defender and then the keeper McCracken one-on-one into an empty net.

East Central scored its lone goal of the match in the 54th minute when Kelsey Tadlock beat Kelli Brewer to the lower left corner of the net, pulling the Lady Warriors within 3-1.

But it was all Northwest after that, as the Lady Rangers scored the final three goals of the match by way of Taylor (62nd minute), Beard (65th minute) and Amanda Doherty (80th minute) to take the convincing 6-1 victory.

Brewer picked up four saves on the day and allowed just the one goal, while McCracken and Lauren Shimfessel split time in net for East Central. McCracken finished with seven saves.

The Lady Rangers outshot East Central 23-7 on the day (13-5 on goal) in earning their first division win.

Northwest will return to the pitch Saturday, opening up a four-game road swing at Hinds.