ALVA, Okla. - Northwestern Oklahoma State women's soccer kicked-off homecoming Saturday with a bang as they beat Harding University in a 2-1 battle at the Alva Rec Complex. Calvonis Prentice netted two goals for the black-and-red en route to the Rangers first win of the 2017 campaign. 

The Rangers displayed an impressive defensive performance against Harding, who out shot Northwestern 17-7 in the game. But the consistent pressure didn't break Ranger keeper Kylee Loustaunau, as the junior Texas native stopped six of the seven Bison shots on goal. 

Prentice opened the scoring in the 10^th minute after Yazmin Gomez set her up with a fantastic cross from the right side. The 5'6 San Bernardino Valley transfer booted her first goal of the year to take a 1-0 lead over the Bison. Northwestern continued to press for the rest of the first half, but would take a one goal lead into halftime. 

Northwestern found themselves with a two goal advantage in the 62^nd minute. After Hollie Pankake's shot rang off the right post, great positioning by Prentice led to her second goal of the game as she scooped up the rebound and found the back of the net. 

Harding never backed down in this one, keeping the pressure on Northwestern for the remainder of the contest. The Bison picked up their lone goal in the 74^th minute when Bethany Sutherland beat a diving Loustaunau to make it a 2-1 game. A few late scoring chances were thwarted as the Northwestern defense stood strong in the dying minutes of their first win.