Box Score DECATUR – Playing with their backs against the wall the last two weeks trying to sneak into the playoffs, Northwest knocked off East Central 3-0 Wednesday afternoon for a third consecutive road win to get one step closer to a second straight postseason berth.

Northwest improved to 7-7 overall and 3-4 in the north division while East Central dropped to 5-6-2 overall and 1-4 in division play.

Freshman Armando Barron set the tone in the game's opening 1:21, scoring off a perfectly played Kirill Safrin assist to give the Rangers a 1-0 lead that they would hold onto the final 88 minutes.

Northwest outshot ECCC 20-5 and only allowed one shot on goal. The teams combined for 33 fouls and the Warriors were whistled for three yellow cards and a red card, playing the entire second half a man down. 

The Rangers tacked on two more goals in the 73rd and 75th minutes, with Thomas King scoring his first collegiate goal from Mamadou Mbaye and Barron scoring off a free kick for his second of the match.

Josh Delgado played the game's opening 7:45 in net and made way for Matthew Williams to play the final 82:15 to preserve the shutout win. He had one save.

Northwest will host Holmes on Friday, Oct. 17 at 3 p.m. in the Rangers' Pink game.