SENATOBIA - Friday afternoon provided one of the most memorable matches in the history of the Northwest women's soccer program, and sophomore
Hudson Lindsay provided the biggest moment.
Lindsay's goal in the 24th minute was the lone score of the match, as No. 3 Northwest earned the 1-0 win in a gritty defensive battle against top-ranked Holmes. For the Lady Rangers, it marked the first win against the Lady Bulldogs since October 17, 2014.
Friday's victory also signified
James Beattie's 50th win as the Lady Rangers' head coach, becoming only the second Northwest women's soccer coach to reach 50 victories. Northwest improved to 14-0 overall and 7-0 in conference play, while also earning its 13th shutout of the season, the most ever recorded in a single season.
Both teams took their fair share of shots in the first 20 minutes, with some close calls. Josephine Pittman's shot for Holmes in the 19th minute fired off the crossbar, preventing the Lady Bulldogs from taking the early lead.
Roughly four minutes later, a corner kick from
Mari Julia Delgado helped set up Lindsay's goal, her sixth of the season. The Lady Rangers nearly picked up another goal on Delgado's penalty kick attempt in the 31st minute, but Addi Roberts swatted it away for Holmes, keeping the score at 1-0.
Holmes then followed with a flurry of shots over the remainder of the half, including a goal that was denied due to an offsides call. The Lady Rangers also fired off their fair share of shots over the remainder of the first half, only for Roberts to swat them all away for the Lady Bulldogs.
Northwest held a 9-6 margin in total shots at the break, while Holmes held a 6-2 advantage in total saves. Fouls began to pile up late in the first half, with the Lady Rangers being whistled for 10 of the 17 combined fouls.
The stakes got higher for both teams in the second half and the foul count rose with it. After Carmen Mason was slapped with a caution in the 31st minute of the match, the Lady Rangers suffered a big blow to their defensive core as
Raylin Dixon was hit with a straight red card in the 49th minute, following a brush-up with Holmes' Sammi Jo Doyle. Although not ejected, Doyle was also hit with a yellow card for her role.
With Dixon out of the match, the Northwest defense was tested even more.
Bre'Aunna Harps was baited into a yellow card in the 58th minute and Holmes began to apply the pressure. The Lady Bulldogs spent several minutes on the opposite end of the pitch and fired off six total shots in the second half, but reigning MACCC Goalkeeper of the Week
Anna Kathryn Harrell made several close saves, keeping Holmes off the board.
With time winding down in regulation, Northwest was tested a few more times by the Lady Bulldogs. After
Caroline Chandler picked up a yellow card in the 88th minute, Holmes tried to turn up the pressure one last time to force overtime. However, Bailee Fairley's shot attempt was saved by Harrell in the 89th minute and Northwest kept the Lady Bulldogs from firing off a shot as time ran out in the final minute.
Both teams finished the match dead even in total shots, finishing with 12 apiece. Northwest collected 10 shots on-goal, while Holmes finished with six. Delgado had a team-high four shots for the Lady Rangers, with three of hers coming on-goal.
Roberts netted nine saves for Holmes in a strong defensive effort, while Harrell collected six for Northwest. A total of 30 fouls were called across the board, with the Lady Rangers whistled for 17 calls.
Northwest will have an extended break before its next match, a Friday the 13th tussle with East Central in Senatobia and a rematch of last year's MACCC Quarterfinals battle. The Lady Warriors (4-6-1, 3-4 MACCC) are coming off a 2-1 loss against Itawamba on Friday evening.
Friday's match with East Central is scheduled for a 1 P.M. start time, with live coverage available on
Ranger TV.Â
