JACKSON - Following a four-win season that pushed the Northwest men's soccer program into the playoffs for the first time since 2016, the MACCC selected four Rangers for all-conference honors, the conference announced on Thursday.
Defender
Luis Cosme was the Rangers' lone first team selection, while fellow defender
Dylan Riley earned second team accolades, along with forwards
Peyton Coker and Jesus Villegas.
While Cosme scored one goal and two assists on the season, his best efforts were highlighted with his defensive play. The sophomore from Toa Alta, P.R. was also a two-year starter for Northwest.
Riley was also a lock down defender during his three seasons with the Rangers. Along with Cosme, the Olive Branch native was an instrumental part of a much-improved defensive unit this season.
Finishing as the team's second-leading scorer, Coker capped off his three-year career with four goals and an assist, playing a vital role in sending the Rangers to the postseason. This is also the second All-MACCC honor for Coker, as the Olive Branch native and former Lewisburg alumnus also earned all-conference recognition last season.
Hailing from Bayamon, P.R., Villegas made an immediate impact on the Rangers during a solid freshman campaign, scoring a team-high five goals on one assist. Villegas played and started in 14 matches this season.
Northwest ended the 2021 season with a 4-0 loss to No. 15 Mississippi Gulf Coast in the MACCC Quarterfinals. This marked the first postseason berth for fourth-year head coach
Mark Hogan and a third-place MACCC North Division finish, the best finish since the 2016 season.