SENATOBIA – Sophomore Fakhry Khulfan's goal off a penalty kick in the 51st minute was all the scoring Northwest needed, knocking off visiting Holmes in its north division opener on Friday, 1-0. 

Winners in three of its last four, Northwest improved to 3-2 overall (1-0 north) while Holmes dropped its first match of the year in moving to 2-1 overall (0-1 north).

In a very evenly matched game on the pitch, neither team had many scoring chances in the opening 45 minutes as the teams were locked in a stalemate at the half.

But the second half picked up and statistically was dominated by Holmes, with the Bulldogs out-shooting Northwest 8-1 in the second period and earning four more corner kicks.

Holmes had its best chance to break the scoreless tie in the opening minutes of the second half when Christian Eslava fired a pair of shots at John Denton in the 47th and 49th minutes but was denied. 

After being tackled inside the box just minutes later in the 51st minute, Khulfan took his and the Rangers' first penalty kick opportunity of the year and buried it past Charles Hancock III for the only goal of the match.

Denton was tested two other times in the half, but saved both tries, recording his second shutout of the year after finishing with five total saves.

Northwest will look for its first three-match winning streak since 2009 when they travel to Itawamba on Tuesday, Sept. 13. Kickoff is set for 4 p.m.