SUMMIT – Late goals by Taylor Williams in the first half and Landyn Hoover in the second half lifted Northwest to a 2-0 road win over Southwest Mississippi on Saturday. 

Northwest improved to 2-1 on the young season, already matching last season's win total, while SMCC fell to 2-1.

"We were a much different team from Friday's game to today," head coach Levi Nunnally said. "Our ladies fought hard and wanted this win. They had composure, played the ball around nicely and really just gritted it out. Now we'll rest up, recover, get some treatment and get ready for LSU-Alexandria."

Southwest out-shot Northwest 8-6 in the first half and keeper Liv Nault made six big saves to keep the match scoreless.

Caitlan Dew had the Lady Rangers' best scoring chance early in the 28th minute, hitting the crossbar on a free kick from about 20 yards out.

With the first half winding down, Williams broke for the goal on a pass from Maisy Cooper and hammered it past Jennifer Solis for the 1-0 lead with 20 ticks left.

Southwest was aggressive early on in the second half, challenging new Lady Ranger goalie Angel Hailey four times but coming up empty.

Northwest made its third keeper change with under 15 minutes to play, bringing in Makenzie Ellis. Within seconds, she made a huge save over the crossbar to keep it a 1-0 lead. The last chance at an equalizer came in the 85th minute on a wide open header from Emily Williams that sailed high.

Hoover made the final tally 2-0 in favor of Northwest, fighting and winning a loose ball from a Southwest defender just outside the box and scoring in the 89th minute for her first collegiate goal.

Nault (1-1) picked up the win with six first half saves, while Hailey had three and Ellis finished with two.

Southwest out-shot Northwest 17-10 and the Lady Rangers where whistle for eight fouls against five for the Lady Bears.

Northwest will return to the pitch on Tuesday, Sept. 5, playing host to Holmes in the division-opener for both teams.