WADLEY, ALA. - The Northwest Mississippi Community College women's soccer team (4-0) picked up their third ranked win of the season with a 3-0 victory over #18 Southern Union State Community College (1-3-1) on Tuesday, September 8 in Wadley, Ala.
Southern Union is yet another opponent that the Rangers have faced in previous NJCAA DII Women's Soccer National Championships.
"It's always good to get on the road and play a ranked opponent," Head Coach James Beattie said. "It was a good test for us. We played them at nationals last year, and they are a well coached team."
The game got off to a quick start when sophomore forward Kassidy McMillan drew a foul in the box in the sixth minute. As a result of the foul, NWCC was awarded a penalty kick and sophomore defender Lena Scholze slotted home Northwest's first goal of the game.
The Rangers would continue to threaten the Bison defense resulting in several corner kicks and shots on goal. However, the score remained 1-0 going into halftime.
NWCC's second goal came off of a breakaway when freshman Rylee Ringold slotted a pass through Southern Union's backline to McMillan. McMillan was then in a 1v1 battle with the goalkeeper and shot the ball into the back of the net in the 57th minute.
Although Iriko Rakotoarimanana missed a penalty kick in the first half of the game, she was able to quickly wipe that from her memory when she scored the Rangers' third goal of the game deep in the second half.
The Rangers have not only proven themselves to be a force offensively by scoring 26 goals through their first four games, they have also proven themselves to be a staunch defensive side as well, earning their third clean sheet in four games.
"This is an exciting group that has had moments so far this season," Beattie said. "Continuing to put together more consistent performances is key."
This victory, along with the rest of the Rangers' non-conference schedule, serves as the perfect test for a tough MACCC schedule that will see NWCC face four top ten opponents in #2 Jones College, #4 Holmes Community College, #6 Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, and #10 Pearl River Community College.
"MACCC is the hardest conference in the nation, so it's good for us to prepare as much as possible because there are really tough games coming up," Beattie said.
Northwest (4-0) will be back in action when they welcome National Park College (0-2) to Senatobia and the Ranger Soccer Complex on Friday, September 11 at 2 p.m.
To stay up to date on the NWCC women's soccer team, follow the Ranger social media accounts or go to nwccrangers.com.
