Lady Rangers Complete Undefeated Regular Season

SENATOBIA - A scoreless first half soon gave way to a four-goal scoring surge in the final 45 minutes, as top-ranked Northwest earned a 4-0 shutout of Meridian on Tuesday evening.

Northwest improved to 16-0 overall and 11-0 in the MACCC, completing the program's first undefeated regular season. The Lady Rangers wrapped up the MACCC title last week and will receive a first-round bye in the postseason, as coach James Beattie's squad awaits the start of the NJCAA Region 23 Tournament.

Despite the win for Northwest, Meridian didn't make things easy on the Lady Rangers in the first half. The Lady Eagles clamped down defensively over the first 45 minutes, limiting the offensive attack to just eight total shots and four shots on-goal in the first half. On the other hand, the Northwest defense surrendered just one shot in the opening half, as the two teams went to halftime locked in a scoreless draw.

Northwest came out aggressive to open the second half and it paid off quickly, as Caroline Hamm broke up the deadlock in the 47th minute. The 1-0 lead marked the 12th goal of the season for the freshman from Saltillo.

Minutes later, Emma Jensen tacked on her team-leading 15th goal of the season, thanks to an assist from Lillie Grace McCutchen. The goal from the Gammelby, Germany native gave the Lady Rangers a 2-0 advantage just five minutes into the second half.

However, Northwest was far from finished. In the 58th minute, Jensen struck again, adding her 16th collegiate goal and stretching the lead to 3-0. Sophomore Brandy Hernandez capped off the evening with a goal in the 76th minute, her seventh of the season. Penny Warner provided the assist, as the Lady Rangers clinched the 4-0 victory.

Northwest quickly outpaced its first half offense, firing off 22 total shots in the second half. In all, the Lady Rangers finished with 30 shots and 17 shots on-goal, while holding Meridian to just five shots and one on-goal.

Meridian's Lola Smith picked up 13 saves, while Ann Marie Barton came away with one for Northwest in the second half. Sophomore goalkeeper Anna Kathryn Harrell started the first half for the Lady Rangers, before Barton polished off the shutout.

Both teams were whistled for a combined 26 fouls, with 16 going against Northwest. The lone caution was issued to Lady Rangers' freshman Molly Thompson in the 87th minute.

Meridian fell to 8-6-2 overall with the loss and 4-5-2 in the MACCC. Due to Copiah-Lincoln's victory against Southwest Mississippi on Tuesday evening, the Lady Eagles were eliminated from postseason contention.

For the Lady Rangers, Northwest has now made the postseason for five straight years under Beattie's leadership. This will the program's fourth consecutive trip to the NJCAA Region 23 Tournament, as NWCC aims to defend last season's title, which was the first in program history.

Northwest now awaits the outcome of the NJCAA Region 23 Quarterfinal matchups this weekend to determine its opponent in the NJCAA Region 23 Tournament, scheduled for November 8-10 in Ellisville. This weekend's matches include second-seeded Holmes hosting No. 7 seed Copiah-Lincoln, No. 3 seed Pearl River hosting sixth-seeded Mississippi Gulf Coast and No. 4 seed Itawamba hosting fifth-seeded Jones College. 

Further details regarding the NJCAA Region 23 Tournament, including ticketing information and broadcast links, will be posted when available.

About the MACCC

The Mississippi Association of Community Colleges Conference (MACCC)  is one of the premier community college conferences in the country and ranks among the elite in the nation in terms of alumni on professional sports teams. 

Current championship competition offered by the league includes competition for men in baseball, basketball, football, golf, soccer and tennis.  

Women's competition is offered in the sports of basketball, soccer, softball, tennis and volleyball. 

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