SENATOBIA - The Northwest Mississippi Community College women's soccer team (3-0) notched a pair of top-10 victories against #8 Iowa Lakes Community College (0-3-1) and #10 Rock Valley College (2-1-1) during the St. Louis Showcase in St. Louis, Mo., at Creve Coeur Park Soccer Complex.
NWCC has faced both Iowa Lakes and Rock Valley at previous NJCAA DII National Soccer Championships, so the Rangers knew that these games would be a test.
"They are both really good teams and are well coached," Head Coach James Beattie said. "So it gives us that pre-nationals feel. That's where we want to be."
Game 1 - #1 NWCC 3 #8 Iowa Lakes 1
The Rangers' first game of the weekend was a display of their offensive brilliance
In the first half, Northwest recorded 22 shots, with eight of those being on target, and did not allow the Lakers to record a single shot.
In the 12th minute, Olivia Miller opened the scoring for the Rangers when she slotted home a Yazzlyn Alex assist. Alex would continue to be the star for Northwest offensively and score a brace with goals in the 16th and 27th minute.
Miller also showed her playmaking abilities in the first half, earning the assist on Alex's first goal.
Unfortunately, the Rangers were not able to keep a clean sheet and allowed a goal off of a cross shortly after halftime in the 47th minute, bringing the score to 3-1 in favor of NWCC.
The Northwest defense remained strong and only allowed two shots all game.
Game 2 - #1 NWCC 6 #10 Rock Valley 0
During the first half of the game against Rock Valley, the Rangers struggled to convert their chances. Northwest recorded 13 shots in the first half with only one of those being on goal.
The lone shot on goal came when freshman Rylee Ringold dribbled through traffic and slotted the ball into the back of the net, making the score 1-0 in favor of the Rangers going into halftime.
Northwest was able to play more like themselves during the second half and scored five goals.
The first goal of the second half came when sophomore Mary Logan Clark pounced on a rebound in the 52nd minute. Alex then continued to show her offensive prowess when she scored after going 1v1 with the goalkeeper in the 58th minute.
Only two minutes later in the 60th minute Kassidy McMillian netted a shot from 15 yards out. Then, Clark was able to record her second goal of the game off of a Hayden Moneymaker pass in the 62nd minute. Ringold became the second Ranger to record a brace when she sent Kami Vega's pass into the net in the 80th minute.
Only allowing 10 shots and one save while earning the shutout, Northwest's defense continues to be a force.
The expectation for Northwest is to play like they did in the second half of the game against Rock Valley.
"There were some harsh words at half time," Beattie said. "The reality of the situation is that we had the exact same chances in the first half as we did in the second, we just converted."
The team's next contest will take place when the Northwest women's soccer team (3-0-0) travels to McKenzie, Tenn. to take on Bethel University (0-2-1) 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.
