ALVA, Okla. – On a day full of emotions, Ranger soccer exploded early on for a big win to close out the year against the Crimson Storm of Southern Nazarene.
"I think they came out and weren't going to mess around today," Head coach Erik Solberg stated on the win. We were very motivated to play for the seniors as well. To get a result that I thought we deserved from this season. They were very motivated to come out and play hard. We had the game plan exactly right, which they executed."
Northwestern wasted no time coming out of the gate as on the first shot of the game from Alissa Carlson was score. After gaining control of possession she was able to get out in front to score the goal giving the
Rangers a 1-0 lead.
The scoring would not stop there as only 30 seconds later senior forward Yazmin Gomez drew a penalty kick and would capitalize on. She would sneak the goal on the right side of the net extending the Ranger lead 2-0.
After Southern Nazarene had a few scoring chances on back-to-back corner kicks the Ranger attack used that to spark their offense as they got out fast again. Makayla Barrientos scored at the 15:25 mark giving Northwestern a 3-0 lead.
Play resumed an after SNU turned the ball over NWOSU gained possession. Once they earned a corner kick the team took full advantage. Senior forward Pricilla Villalobos scored off the corner kick, to once again extend the lead to 4-0.
"We were able to take advantage of them playing a higher line and finished chances. We did not have a ton of shots but made them count. The game was in a good situation from there."
Southern Nazarene would get on the board in the 25th minute mark drawing into the deficit. However that did not last long as at the 41:19 mark forward Whitney Blanchard added a goal to the great first half for the Rangers.
Northwestern would carry a 5-1 lead into halftime.
The second half would not change at all. The Rangers would score eight minutes into the second half as senior Kaley Whitworth would add the sixth Ranger goal of the night all by different scorers.
Southern Nazarene would add a goal in the 78th minute mark but would only get that close as the Rangers won this game handily 6-2.
The match got physical as it featured two red cards, NWOSU's Barrientos, and SNU's Kylee Payne drawing the cards.
The Rangers would outshoot the Crimson Storm 24-16 for the game including 16-12 on goal. Gomez and Barrientos led the team with five shots each. Rangers continued to have a spread out balanced attack.
Northwestern would improve to 7-10-1 and 4-7-1 in conference to finish the season. The Rangers will finish fifth in the conference with 13 points. The 13 points in conference play sets Northwestern's division II record. The seven wins is the most Northwestern has had since having eight in the 2014.
