SENATOBIA - It's hard to put in words just how incredible the past two seasons have been for head coach James Beattie and the Northwest women's soccer program.

Following a 6-6 slate during the delayed COVID-19 season, Beattie's bunch responded with a 15-win campaign two seasons ago, setting the program's new single-season wins record. Then, the Lady Rangers tied that mark in 2022, while also advancing to the NJCAA Division II Championship tournament for the first time in program history, winning Pool D and advancing to the semifinals.

On top of that, the Lady Rangers captured the attention of four-year coaches, including the Division I level. Over the past two seasons, four Northwest players have signed with Division I programs: Molly Rose (Georgia State), Melinda Hernandez (Little Rock), and the UT Martin duo of Jennifer Enriquez and Malaesha Liddell.

However, for as much as Beattie and the Lady Rangers have accomplished, the goal is to get better. With a conference title still eluding the program, this year's squad has the potential to finally cross that achievement off their list.

"Last year was the best season this program has ever had," Beattie said. "We're obviously disappointed that we didn't make it to the finals, or win the conference championship. (But) a lot of the girls that were a part of that team are on this team, so we're hoping to carry that momentum over."

Although Northwest will certainly miss the offensive contributions of Enriquez and Hernandez, several key pieces return for their sophomore seasons. Evie Crawford and Jadyn Duran are back to lead on the front lines, as well as Jada Jelks and Avery Hooker.

"They're going to have a good year," Beattie said. "Like the defense, they have a lot of competition and we have multiple players who can play multiple positions. Every single game, they're going to have to give it their all. The key for this team is that we have a lot of different options we can roll out at any given moment."

Perhaps the biggest gaps to fill will come in the midfield, but Beattie remains optimistic about the players he has coming in this season.

"We can do lots of different things in different games," Beattie said, in regards to his midfield. "At times last year, we could be a little one-dimensional in player types, whereas this year we have a lot of different player sizes and strengths. We have a lot of potential to unlock."
 
One of the most experienced areas on the team comes on defense. Amaya Andrews, Raylin Dixon and Bre'Aunna Harps are all returning starters, but the Lady Rangers will also get plenty of help from Madyson Helm, who logged valuable minutes off the bench last season.
 
Though the Lady Rangers lose a solid goalkeeper in Addy McCann, true freshman Anna Kathryn Harrell (Tupelo) is expected to carry the torch this season. Although trusting that role to a freshman can prove to be difficult, Beattie has seen a lot from Harrell so far.
 
"She is a difference-maker and she's going to be huge for us," Beattie said. "As far as the rest of the defense, we have several freshmen that will contribute for us. Allie Reed Greer and Julia McPherson are going to help a lot with competitiveness, as well as Raegan Tucker."
 
With continued success comes stronger scheduling, and that is certainly the case for Northwest. The Lady Rangers will open the season in Missouri against Jefferson College and 12th-ranked South Suburban College, while later facing defending Division III national champion Dallas College-Brookhaven and another nationally-ranked team in Southwestern Illinois.
 
"Last year, we got a taste of the national championship and we want that again this year," Beattie said. "The best way to prepare are against teams that we're going to challenge us. We have a lot of good teams on our non-conference schedule, including two that were in the national tournament last year and another that won the Division III title last year. The theory is that if we can play games that will match what we face in the postseason, then that will help us do better as a team and a coaching staff."
 
As tough as the Lady Rangers' early-season schedule is, that doesn't even include the juggernaut that is the MACCC. Three of the four teams remaining in last year's NJCAA Division II national tournament last season were from the MACCC and Holmes, Jones College and Pearl River are back in the national preseason rankings with Northwest.
 
"Our conference is going to continue to improve," Beattie said. "I believe we have the most difficult conference in the nation already. Every coach and program are strong, and there will be no easy games. It's going to be interesting and our schedules help everyone in the conference prepare for the postseason."
 
Overall, Northwest is aiming high once more, and with a proper balance of veterans and newcomers, there seems to be no reason why the Lady Rangers can't make another strong postseason push.
 
"We want to win everything we can possibly win," Beattie said. "I think we want to win the conference and national championships, and there is no use in not giving a full effort. The biggest key to doing that is going to be keeping everyone healthy physically, as well as maintaining a healthy, competitive culture."

Northwest will spend the first couple weeks of the regular season on the road, before hosting Mineral Area College for its home opener on Sunday, September 10. All home matches will be carried on Ranger TV.