MERIDIAN – Despite a pair of first half goals from freshman Eric Izaguirre, Northwest was unable to corral Oxford Emory on Saturday afternoon as the Rangers fell by a final of 6-4.

The loss dropped the Rangers to 2-7 on the season while the Eagles improved to 2-3-1 overall.

Both teams kept pace with each other throughout the first half, trading goals back and forth. After Chandler Cagle put the Eagles up 1-0 in the eighth minute, Izaguirre responded to tie the match in the 13th minute.

Oxford Emory would regain the lead again on an Eduardo Barquet goal midway through the half, only to have Izaguirre respond by faking out the keeper for an uncontested goal, tying the match at 2-2 at the half.

In the second half however, it was Oxford Emory that came out on fire, scoring three goals within the first 20 minutes of the second half to push the Ranger deficit to 5-2.

Northwest attempted to rally back, as Cam Donaldson netted his first career goal off a pair of quick passes from Parker Trawick and Joseph Hayes. Later, Hayes would add his sixth goal of the season on another uncontested score that trimmed the Eagles' lead to 5-4 in the 77th minute.

The Eagles would dash any hopes of overtime, though, as Chike Onyia connected with Barquet in the 85th minute, sealing the win for Oxford Emory.

Northwest outshot the Eagles by a slim 17-16 margin, although Oxford Emory did finish with a 14-10 advantage on goal. Freshman Logan Barham finished with eight saves in just his second collegiate start.

Northwest will have a near two-week break from action, resuming north division competition at East Central on Friday, October 5.