RIDGELAND - Trailing 3-0 in the first half, Northwest sophomore
Jesus Villegas trimmed the lead to one at halftime, only for the Bulldogs to add four goals in the second half to break away for the 7-2 victory.
Northwest dropped to 1-8 on the season and remained winless in MACCC play at 0-5, while Holmes jumped to 4-3-1 overall and 1-3-1 in conference play.
Scoreless through the first 10 minutes, Holmes got on the board in the 14th minute as Odanci Ndayisaba connected with Kentaveun Ware for the 1-0 lead. Later, in the 27th minute, Bienvenue Sunzu scored unassisted to widen the gap to 2-0.
A few minutes later, Ndayisaba scored his first of four goals off an assist from Edy Gael, burying Northwest into a 3-0 hole midway through the first half.
Just when it seemed like Holmes had hit cruise control, Villegas found the back of the net in the 33rd minute to break the scoreless drought for the Rangers. Less than two minutes later, Villegas scored again after being awarded a penalty kick, closing the gap to 3-2.
Both teams remained scoreless until the 65th minute, when Ndayisaba scored unassisted to push the Holmes' lead back to two goals. He would score the next two goals in the 81st and 82nd minutes, effectively putting the game away for the Bulldogs.
Less than two minutes before the end of regulation, Holmes would deliver one last parting shot, as Nolan Owens found Caleb Jones for the seventh and final score.
Holmes outpaced Northwest 20-11 in total shots and 12-7 in shots on-goal. Both teams also combined for 23 total fouls, with 12 whistled against the Bulldogs.
Connor Young collected four of the Rangers' five saves in the contest, while
Austin Hairrell played the final 45 minutes, earning one save.
Northwest will hit the road once again on Tuesday, October 4 at Mississippi Gulf Coast for a 5 P.M. tilt in Perkinston.
