SENATOBIA - After posting its best season in program history last year, the Northwest Lady Rangers are continuing to trend upwards this season.
Now ranked sixth in the nation, Northwest is now 10-1-2 overall after Tuesday's 3-0 victory against Meridian. The Lady Rangers are also 6-1-2 against MACCC competition and unbeaten at home with a 6-0 mark.
Although the offense has played a large role in the victories, it's the Northwest defense that has been strong all season. Though the back unit doesn't record many stats aside from saves by the goalkeeper, the Lady Rangers have locked down opposing offenses all year long, even in losses and draws. For the season, the Northwest defensive unit has surrendered just four goals, while limiting the opposition to one goal or less in every match.
On the flip side, the Lady Rangers have 59 goals on the season, including seven from all-time assists leader
Jennifer Enriquez. The sophomore from Las Cruces, N.M. led Northwest with two goals in the win against Meridian, most notably a header off a corner kick from
Dani Rodriguez with one second left in the first half.
Hadleigh Watson provided the other goal for Northwest in the 31st minute, breaking what was a scoreless tie.
Eliza Olive provided the assist, her fourth of the season.
Overall, the Lady Rangers took 31 total shots against five for Meridian. All five of the Lady Eagles' shots came on goal, while Northwest finished with 22 shots on target. Reigning MACCC and NJCAA Goalkeeper of the Week
Addy McCann totaled two saves, while
Amelia Anding picked up three in the final 33 minutes of action.
Northwest will face one final conference foe in preparation for the MACCC Playoffs, as Itawamba pays a visit to Senatobia on Friday, October 21. The match will serve as Sophomore Day for the Lady Rangers, a ceremony that will take place prior to the match's 1 P.M. start time.
