RIDGELAND – A strong first half performance from Holmes made the ultimate difference, as Northwest fell 7-1 on the road Tuesday afternoon at Freedom Ridge Park.

Northwest dropped to 2-8-1 overall and 0-6-1 in north division play, while Holmes stretched its record to 11-1 overall and 5-1 in the north with the win.

Jaci Murphy scored the first of five first half goals in the third minute for Holmes, beating the keeper to the bottom right on an assist from Micaela Robinson. Less than two minutes later, Robinson found Kendal Walsh to give the Lady Bulldogs a quick 2-0 advantage.

Robinson helped extend the Lady Bulldogs lead in the 15th minute with her first score of the day. Walsh then followed with another goal in the 22nd minute to stretch the Holmes lead to 4-0.

Alexandra Howard closed out the first half scoring with a goal in the box from Brooke Burrell in the 30th minute, giving the Lady Bulldogs a comfortable 5-0 halftime lead.

Burrell and Robinson added to the Holmes lead with a pair of second half goals in the 54th and 66th minutes, respectively, making the score 7-0 midway through the second half.

Northwest avoided the shutout late in the contest, as Lauren Snyder got the the Lady Rangers on the board. Sierra Lasher's corner kick found the head of Harlie Ray and Ray headed it to Snyder to give Northwest its only goal in the 88th minute.

Holmes took 25 shots, 16 on-goal, while Northwest was held to just seven total shots and three on-goal.

In her first collegiate start at goalkeeper, freshman Micah Rhea collected nine saves. 

Northwest will host Itawamba on Friday, Oct. 14 in the Lady Rangers' final home contest of the season at 1 p.m.