The Northwest Mississippi Community College men’s soccer team defeated Southwest Mississippi 3-2 on the road Saturday, marking their first victory at the Bears since 2014 and their best start to conference play since 2011, according to school officials.
Northwest improved to 4-3-2 overall and 2-0 in conference. Head Coach Windham Whatley said the win was significant, especially on the road. “Any time you can get three points on the road, much less six points in a week in this league, you definitely take it,” he said.
The Rangers opened the scoring early, with Wesley Kilpatrick scoring just over three minutes into the match. Leo Frank doubled the lead with his first career goal in the 10th minute, heading in a corner kick from Joseph Jackson. Frank said he was instructed to target the far post, which led to his goal.
Southwest responded with two goals before halftime, including a free kick that beat goalkeeper TJay Gibb and a chipped corner kick that tied the game. Northwest regained the lead in the 58th minute when Jairo Mendez scored off a rebound, a goal Gibb couldn’t secure.
The second half was marked by physical play and discipline issues, with the Rangers receiving five yellow cards, including two to Nile Hunt, who was ejected with 10 minutes remaining. Despite playing a man down, Northwest’s defense held firm, aided by Gibb’s four saves, including a critical stop on a rebound in front of the net.
Whatley credited the team’s energy and focus after halftime for the victory. “We clarified what worked in the first 20 minutes when we scored two, and the boys took that seriously,” he said. “They did a good job to hold a clean sheet in the second half.”
The win ties the program’s record for the best start to conference play since 2011 and marks their first victory in Summit since 2014. Northwest will face No. 4 Jones College on Saturday at 7 p.m., a match that will be streamed on Ranger TV.
“Jones is a big game being number four, and we are going to attempt to win while managing our legs and moments,” Whatley said. Fans can follow Northwest soccer and other athletics at nwccrangers.com or on social media.
