DECATUR - Two first half goals from East Central made the ultimate difference, as Northwest fell 3-1 to the Lady Warriors on Monday afternoon.

Northwest fell to 2-2 on the season and 0-1 in the MACCC North Division, while East Central improved to 3-0-1 and 1-0 in division competition.

It took until the 30-minute mark of the match for either team to score, as Ameris Taylor connected with Jaden Ham for a 1-0 East Central advantage. Seven minutes later, Brendaisha Garrett found the net to give the Lady Warriors a 2-0 halftime lead.

After taking a few fouls early in the second half, Northwest forward Ally Bailey was finally awarded a penalty kick in the 58th minute, which she converted for her fourth goal of the season.

However, Bailey's penalty kick would prove to be the only offensive highlight for the Lady Rangers, as a Sasha Clare goal in the 84th minute all but clinched the match for East Central.

Northwest was outmatched 19-7 in total shots and 13-3 in shots on goal. Both teams finished near-even in the foul column, as the Lady Rangers were whistled for 16 infractions against 15 from the Lady Warriors.

Two cautions were issued, with the first coming on East Central's Nicole O'Neill that set up Bailey's penalty kick. Cody Dowell was whistled for the lone Northwest yellow card in the 83rd minute.

Sophomore goalkeepers Maggie Olive and Trinity Baynham split the first and second halves, with both players earning five saves apiece.

Northwest will have a week-long break before its next match, a Tuesday road tilt at Hinds on April 20. The match is slated for a 5 P.M. start time from Raymond.