CHARLOTTE - History has officially been made for the Northwest women's soccer program today, as the Lady Rangers have achieved a No. 17 slot in the latest NJCAA polls, the program's highest ranking ever.

Northwest (6-0, 1-0 MACCC) was listed as receiving votes in last week's Division II rankings, but a 6-0 victory against St. Charles on Labor Day and a 3-1 upset at previous No. 2 East Central last Friday helped lift the Lady Rangers into the polls.

This is the first time that Northwest has made an appearance in the national rankings since the 2014 season, when the Lady Rangers were tabbed at No. 18 nationally after a 7-0-2 start to the season in former coach Levi Nunnally's second season. Northwest would ultimately finish 10-5-4 on the year after falling to Hinds in the MACCC semifinals.

Joining Northwest in this week's rankings are Holmes at No. 2, Jones College at No. 3 and East Central at No. 6. Mississippi Gulf Coast, previously ranked at No. 20, was receiving votes in the polls.

Heartland (Ill.) topped the national rankings, while Waubonsee (Ill.) and Phoenix College (Ariz.) rounded out the remainder of the top five.

Now in his second season, coach James Beattie is off to a 12-6 start to his career record, which already includes a postseason appearance from last spring. The Lady Rangers will look to remain unbeaten with a trip to Hinds on Friday evening.

Kickoff is scheduled for 5 P.M. from Raymond.