SENATOBIA - The Northwest Mississippi Community College women's soccer team (1-0-0) dominated University of Arkansas - Cossatot Community College (0-1-0) from start to finish, earning an exciting 14-0 victory in the Rangers' season opener at the Ranger Soccer Complex in Senatobia.
"It's important to get the first win in the first game of the season, and we got that," Head Coach James Beattie said.
Playing 11 versus 10 for the entire game due to roster availability on the Colts' side, NWCC had the ability to move the ball freely and evenly spread the offense.
The goals came in bunches for the Rangers. Sophomore Mary Logan Clark got the scoring started in the 10th minute off of an assist from Olivia Miller. Just over a minute later, Yazzlyn Alex tapped in her own rebound. Freshman Hayden Moneymaker scored the first goal in her college career in the 16th minute, and less than a minute after, Moneymaker earned the assist on a Miller goal, bringing the score to 4-0 in the 17th minute.
In the 24th minute, Melanie Holt became the third member of the Northwest women's soccer team to score their first career goal. A little over two minutes later, Rylee Ringold netted her first goal of the game. Then, just 31 seconds after Ringold's goal, Maggie Pace added her name to the scorers' list with a goal from a Holt assist, extending the NWCC lead to 7-0.
Ringold scored her second goal of the game in the 26th minute of the first half. Freshman Ella King slid home a Pace assist for the ninth goal of the game in the 28th minute. To close out the first half and to bring the score to 11-0, Iriko Rakotoarimanana became the second Ranger to garner a brace when she scored in both the 42nd and 43rd minute, with the goal in the 43rd minute coming off of a Joline Knevel assist.
Sophomore forward Lara Stevens quickly opened the scoring for Rangers in the second half when she slotted home Sunshine Little's pass in the 47th minute. Stevens then became the third Ranger to score multiple goals when she notched her second of the match in the 68th minute. The last goal of the game came from Kami Vega 44 seconds later.
Eleven different players added their names to the score sheet in the victory over the Colts.
"We can't rely on one or two players," Beattie said. "We need all players firing at all times. Today was a good showing for our offense."
Although there were 14 goals scored, the biggest cheer of the night came when Knevel made her long awaited return from injury.
"When anyone gets injured it's a long rehab process. The thing that is really unique about our girls is that they're really good people, so they've watched Joline go through the rehab process and watched Joline suffer," Beattie said. "They were so excited, as were us on the staff, to get her back on the field."
The Northwest women's soccer team (1-0-0) will look to carry their offensive momentum into their next game at the Ranger Soccer Complex on Tuesday, August 25 when they take on the Rhodes College Lynx (0-0) in an exhibition matchup.
To stay up to date on the NWCC women's soccer team, follow the Ranger social media accounts or go to nwccrangers.com.
