By NICK VILLALOBOS
Student Reporter
The Rangers hung on late against Newman University Friday, winning 3-2, then secured another win against Rogers State 3-1 Sunday.
When the Northwestern soccer girls took to the field last Friday against Newman in Wichita, Kans., they were riding high on a two-game winning streak.
The Rangers were able to strike early with a quick goal by Arlet Polack at the nine-minute mark to put Northwestern up 1-0 on the Jets.
The Rangers were able to add another goal just eight minutes later when freshmen Karyn Barnal slipped one past the Jets goalie, her first goal of the season.
With five minutes left in the first half, Leidiane Capobianco was able to increase the Rangers lead to 3-0 when she managed to get the assist from teammate Jessica Lynch. It was Capobianco’s third goal on the season
When the second half got under way, NWOSU had a 3-0 lead on the Jets, but it would soon disappear.
Northwestern was quiet the entire second half, unable to record a single shot in the half as the Jets were able to obtain 11.
Despite the heavy pressure from the Jets, the Rangers were able to hang on to win 3-2, advancing their record to 3-1-1 for the season.
Northwestern then faced the Rogers State University Hillcats Sunday in Claremore, Okla.
The Rangers came out firing early with a goal from Alyssa Williams at the 13-minute mark to put the Rangers up 1-0 on the Hillcats. Ellen Trotter was able to add another to Northwestern’s lead at the 24-minute mark when she put one past the Hillcats goalie, bringing the lead to 2-0 at halftime.
When the second half began, Rogers State was able to put one past Rangers goalie Briana Legaspi in the 49th minute, closing Northwestern’s lead to just one.
Capobianco for the Rangers was able to build Northwestern’s lead back to two when she got the assist from teammate Vianna Villa at the 79-minute mark.
The goal was Capobianco’s fourth for the season, which leads the team.
When the final whistle sounded, the Rangers found themselves winning their fourth straight match, beating Rogers State 3-1. The team finished with a total of 14 shots, with seven of them on target. The Rangers also had seven saves, two corners, three offside calls and a staggering 23 fouls; each team finished with one yellow card apiece.
Northwestern opens up conference play at 4 p.m. tonight against the East Central Tigers.