HUNTSVILLE, Ala. - Facing what proved to be its toughest test of the season, No. 1 Northwest was thrown into unchartered waters on Tuesday afternoon against 12th-seed St. Charles.

Needing a win to keep its season alive and to advance to the next stage of the NJCAA Division II Women's Soccer Championship Tournament, the Lady Rangers were forced to do something they had not done since November 16, 2022 - play overtime.

After several missed scoring opportunities in regulation and facing a St. Charles squad growing more confident and aggressive with each passing minute, Northwest finally got just what it had been missing - a goal from Emma Jensen. The Gammelby, Germany native finally connected on a score in the 97th minute of the match, lifting the Lady Rangers to a gritty 1-0 victory against the Lady Cougars.

Northwest improved to 20-0 on the season, advancing out of Pool A and into the NJCAA Semifinals. It is the program's second semifinal appearance in the past three seasons and the first since Nov. 16, 2022, when the Lady Rangers edged Pima by a 2-1 margin in double overtime.

Although Northwest started off the first half on its usual aggressive approach, St. Charles was ready to combat the Lady Rangers' main weapons. NWCC fired off 11 total shots in the opening half and seemingly took a 1-0 lead in the 33rd minute. However, the goal was waived off and ruled offside, keeping both teams scoreless at the break.

In the second half, St. Charles launched its own method of attack, challenging the Lady Rangers' defense in a way that no other team had all season. The Lady Cougars fired off a barrage of shots as the second half wore on, including a couple close calls against Harrell.

Despite the 10 second half shots taken by St. Charles, Northwest still managed to have several chances of its own. The Lady Rangers took 12 shots in the half, including a near score from Mari Julia Delgado that ricocheted off the right post and another close shot in the box from Jensen. However, Charlize Williams let nothing get past her down the stretch, as the Lady Cougars forced overtime.

As the first overtime period began, Northwest kept possession on the scoring end of the pitch, taking six shots over the first six minutes. Finally, Jensen connected on an opportunity in the box, sailing her kick just past the reach of Williams as the Lady Rangers emptied the bench in jubilation.

Northwest finished the match with a 29-10 margin in total shots, including a 15-5 mark in shots on-goal. Jensen and Penny Warner took a bulk of the Lady Rangers' shots, combining for 13 total. Seven of their collective shots ended as shots on-goal.

Delgado also took three of her four shots on-goal, while Caroline Hamm finished with two shots on-goal in three total attempts.

Gabby Starman led St. Charles with three shots, all on-goal, while Sandra Swartz finished with two shots on-goal.

Anna Kathryn Harrell was credited with five saves, earning her 18th victory of the season and tying her single-season win total from last year. The victory also marked her ninth shutout of the season.

For the Lady Cougars, Williams was credited with a season-high 13 saves and one goal surrendered. 

Both teams were issued a combined 30 fouls, with 19 whistled against Northwest. Three cautions were issued, with Caroline Chandler being issued a yellow card in the 49th minute. Gabby and Gia Starman were both slapped with cautions in the 24th and 49th minutes, respectively.

In the semifinals, Northwest will face No. 5 Holmes for the third time this season. The Lady Rangers have won the previous two matchups, earning a 3-2 decision on the road on October 11 and a 4-1 victory in the NJCAA Region 23 Championship earlier this month.

Northwest and Holmes are scheduled to play Thursday, November 21 at 10 A.M. The winner advances to Saturday's NJCAA Championship match, facing the winner of No. 2 Johnson County (Kan.) and third-seeded Heartland. Those two teams will also play Thursday at 12:30 P.M.

All matches in the NJCAA Division II Women's Soccer Championship Tournament can be seen on the NJCAA Network. Read Full Article