SENATOBIA - As a result of clinching both the Region 23 and Gulf South District Championship, the #7 Northwest Mississippi Community College women's soccer team (16-3) has earned an automatic bid to the NJCAA DII Women's Soccer National Championship in Huntsville, Ala.  

"We're feeling really good," sophomore midfielder Aven Matthews said. "The game against Holmes was a tough game, but we persevered. Now, we're ready for the national tournament." 

On Tuesday, Northwest found out that they have earned the #3 seed in the tournament and will be the top seeded team in Pool C. #11 Schoolcraft (15-3-1) and #12 Rock Valley (15-2-3) will join them in their pool.  

"We're playing against different teams. One team is from Michigan and one is from Illinois," Head Coach James Beattie said. "They both made it in by winning their district tournament, so they're obviously really good teams. It's going to be exciting to compete against them." 

Northwest will begin their journey to a third national title in a row with a matchup against the #6 seed Schoolcraft on Sunday, November 15 at 3:00 p.m.  

The Schoolcraft Ocelots are a new opponent for the Rangers. Statistically, Schoolcraft is a potent offensive side, scoring 81 goals and accumulating 72 assists. The Ocelot defense has also garnered nine shutouts in 19 games and boasts a 0.70 goals against average. 

The Rangers will wrap up pool play in Pool C against the #10 seed Rock Valley on Tuesday, November 17 at 3:00 p.m. 

This won't be the first time that NWCC has seen RVCC. Their first meeting this season came in Northwest's second game at the St. Louis Showcase. The Rangers walked away with the 6-0 win and braces from freshman Rylee Ringold and sophomore Mary Logan Clark. The Golden Eagles have accumulated 76 goals and 68 assists throughout the year, and Rock Valley has only allowed 16 goals in 18 games.  

NWCC comes into this year's national tournament as the two-time defending national champions. Although the team had a rough patch in the middle of the season, dropping three conference games, they were able to avenge their losses to #1 Holmes Community College (16-2) and #3 Pearl River Community College (14-3) in the Region 23/Gulf South District tournament.  

Both of these conference foes will be present at the national tournament. Holmes received the #2 seed in the tournament, and Pearl River received the #5 seed.  

Northwest has four wins over top 25 ranked opponents during the regular season. Until their recent region and district championship run, the largest addition to their resume was a 5-0 thumping of Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College (13-4-1). Gulf Coast was ranked #3 in the national polls at the time of the contest.  

The Rangers have scored a blistering 104 goals. NWCC has also dished out 67 assists throughout the season.  

Offensively, NWCC is led by freshman Yazzlyn Alex and sophomore Olivia Miller. With 19 goals and 44 points, Alex leads all Northwest players in both categories.  

A starter in last year's national championship game, Miller is the only other Ranger to accumulate double digit goals with 14. Miller also leads the team in game winners with three. Two of her game winners came in the Region 23/Gulf South District Tournament 

Although Alex and Miller carry a lot of the offensive burden, scoring can come from all areas of the field. Out of the 23 outfield players that have stepped on the field for the Rangers, all but three have scored.  

The Northwest offense is backed up by a strong defensive backline. Although NWCC has an embarrassment of riches defensively, sophomores Lena Scholze and McKenzi Rankins and freshman Anna Rethmeier have been mainstays on the backline throughout the season. 

Although freshman Lydia Knabb has garnered over 1000 minutes at the goalkeeping position, sophomore Darby Woolever provides another experienced option for the Rangers in net.  

Altogether, the Rangers' defensive unit has only allowed 13 goals across 19 games. 

Not only are the Rangers coming in as the two-time defending national champions, they have played in the national title game each of the past three seasons.  

Going into the national tournament, the Rangers are making it clear that they are playing for each other and not individual glory. 

"Play together. Play for the girl beside you," Matthews said. "That's the biggest thing. Play for the girls beside you and really work hard for each other during this tournament." 

If Northwest makes it through pool play, the semifinals will be on Thursday, November 19, and the NJCAA DII Women's Soccer National Championship will be on Saturday, November 21 at 12:00 p.m. 

The games will be available for live streaming on the NJCAA Network (https://www.njcaa.org/network). Coverage can also be found on Ranger social media accounts or go to nwccrangers.com.