Box Score MERIDIAN – The Northwest women's soccer team is moving on to the semifinals of the MACJC State Tournament after a thrilling 2-1 win over Meridian on Tuesday evening at C.D. Smith Field.

The victory gives the Lady Rangers both their first playoff win and double digit win total since 2006.

Abigail Morales scored both goals for Northwest, including the game-winner (her 5th) in the 75th minute.

The first of those two goals came in the 13th minute from a pass by Holly Newman to Morales, who was able to beat the keeper into the lower right corner.

Meridian was able to tie the game at 1-1 with just under 7 minutes left in the first half when Kayla Phillips was able to boot a long ball from 40 yards out past Ashley Nelson. Phillips played the ball nicely to her left foot and struck it firmly over Nelson's head for the goal. 

The Lady Ranger defense was put to the test in the second half as Meridian gained confidence offensively and fired off eight shots on goal. But Nelson proved to be a strong force as she made seven second-half saves and 10 for the match, her sixth double digit save effort of the year.

Still tied at 1-1 with under 16 minutes to play, Morales found the back of the net to grab the game-winning goal, playing the ball after a throw in and blasting it into the upper right hand corner for a spectacular finish.

Meridian outshot Northwest 15-12 on the night. Accompanying Morales' two shots-on-goal were shots by Taylor Renth, Newman, Kayleigh Sims and Jameka Barr.

Chanler Pickering came away with eight saves on the night for the host Lady Eagles.

Northwest improved to 10-4-4 on the year while Meridian ended its season at 9-8-1.

The Lady Rangers will now face Hinds (10-3-2) on Saturday, Nov. 1 at 12:30 p.m. in Ellisville.