SENATOBIA – Northwest men's soccer made big strides on the field last season.

After winning just seven games the year before, the Rangers broke things open in 2015 by winning 12 games, tying the program record set back in 2002. Under the direction of coach Charlie Baldwin, Northwest also advanced to the semifinals of the MACJC Tournament, falling to eventual champion Pearl River.

With a healthy combination of returning players and raw freshman talent, the Rangers have a lot to look forward to in 2016.

"We're hoping to do it again," Baldwin said, on last season's success. "We only have 13 games this season, but it's hard to win all of them. If we can make the playoffs and have another winning season, we'll be happy."

An advantage that the Rangers have entering the season is the return of last year's top four goal scorers. Highlighting the group is Lance Crabtree, who totaled 16 goals and five assists last season. Also returning is Bryant Young, David Raymundo and Jonathan Felix, who all scored five goals or more last season.

One player that Baldwin has high expectations for this season, however, is another returning sophomore in Victor Ruedas.

"I think he's going to step up and play a lot more than what he did last year," Baldwin said. "I think he will have a bigger role on the field than what he did last season."

Among the freshman class, Baldwin has been impressed with the group as a whole, but Peyton McKnatt and Julian Raney are two players that have really caught his attention.

"They've done a really good job so far," Baldwin said. "I'm really happy with their preseason so far."

Something Baldwin is hoping to see out of his freshman class is the performance by the goalkeepers. The Rangers lose Matthew Williams from last season and have two freshman, Cooper Weseli and Brandon Carrillo, vying for the spot.

"They're not quite as experienced as what we've had in the past," Baldwin said. "Our goalkeepers are going to have to step up and have big games in every game this season. That's going to be the big key for us."

For Northwest, replicating last season means going through the grueling MACJC North Division schedule. The Rangers went 4-4 last season and just behind an 8-0 Hinds club for second place in the division and while the Rangers will be a solid team entering the season, everyone else in the division is expected to be much better as well.

"Hinds is going to be a good team again," Baldwin said. "Several of the other schools have some good international talent coming in, so that's going to be a task for us to have to take care of. It's a big difference and many of those guys have grown up playing soccer every day. We just have to step up and try to play with them."

Northwest will open the season with a weekend road trip at Copiah-Lincoln and Southwest on Aug. 26-27. The Rangers will then travel to Jones County and Hinds before opening the home schedule against East Central on Sept. 7.