By Ken Irving, Senior Reporter
Northwestern Soccer is having one of the best seasons in school history. Starting the season undefeated at eight wins and zero losses, the Rangers then dropped two in a row. However, after beating Oklahoma Baptist University and East Central University, NWOSU is back on track and is 10-2-2 headed into the final stretch of the season.
Led by first year head coach Carla Briscoe, NWOSU has been playing this season with a different mindset for each game.
“The girls described themselves as words like inspiring, unstoppable, energetic and family,” Briscoe said. “I said at our best we’re just solid at all aspects. We’re solid physically, mentally, our culture, how we talk to each other, how we treat each other is just all around solid.”
This is the best team that Northwestern has had in a long time. After back-to-back two-win seasons, Ranger soccer has immensely surpassed that. Senior forward Luana San Miguel and sophomore goalkeeper Taylor Annen have been an important part of this year’s success.
San Miguel is tied with her teammate Christi-Anne Mills for third in goals made and total points in the Great American Conference. San Miguel has been the GAC player of the week twice this season.
“We have a completely different mindset this season,” San Miguel said. “We feel more confident this year and winning has played a big part of that. We are a team that never gives up and it shows not just during games but during practice. We work for each other and we are united together.”
In addition to San Miguel, Taylor Annen has been an unstoppable force in front of the goal. She leads the GAC in goals against per game, saves and shutouts. She is in the top three for saves per game. She has won the GAC goalie of the week twice.
“This season has been going really good,” Annen said. “We’ve won a lot of games and we’re really excited. My defense does an incredible job limiting the amount of shots that I take. They do a great job communicating and stopping shots from happening. All credit goes to my defense honestly.”
Although Northwestern’s season is a success so far, they have their eyes on one goal: the conference championship. Each year the top four teams get to play in the conference tournament. Northwestern is third and on the cusp of getting in the tournament.
The Conference Tournament talks have came to a holt so far for the Rangers. Right now, the Rangers are solely focused on the next game.
“One thing we need to do is take it one game at a time,” Briscoe said. “There isn’t a lot left but how are conference is, a lot can happen. It can be anyone’s game. The biggest thing is being present and taking one game at a time. Our focus is this game and once we get past that then the next.”
Northwestern will travel to Arkansas to play Ouachita and Harding this week before ending their season against Southwestern and Southern Nazarene. The Rangers will need a strong finish if they want to reach their goals of winning the Conference Tournament.