Northwest women’s soccer players named All-Americans

For the third time in as many seasons, Northwest women’s soccer is represented on the Junior College Division II Women’s All-American Team, the United Soccer Coaches organization announced late Wednesday afternoon.

Freshman goalkeeper Anna Kathryn Harrell and sophomore defender Amaya Andrews were both selected for all-American accolades by the organization, a separate entity from the NJCAA. The Lady Ranger duo are just the second and third players to ever receive all-American distinction by the United Soccer Coaches, joining Northwest alumnus Jennifer Enriquez, who was a two-time selection in 2021 and 2022.

For Harrell, it marks yet another honor in what was a historic, impressive freshman season. The Tupelo native shattered nearly every previous single-season and career record set by Northwest goalkeepers, collecting 19 wins on the season with 18 shutouts posted, including one in the national tournament against Rock Valley College. Harrell also recorded 71 saves on the season, while allowing only five goals.

Harrell also earned MACCC Goalkeeper of the Week honors an unprecedented six times throughout the season, while also being named NJCAA Goalkeeper of the Week twice. Since the end of the 2023 campaign, she has been selected for All-MACCC, All-Region 23 and All-NJCAA Division II Tournament team honors, while also earning NJCAA All-American recognition last week.

Andrews was one of several defensive players that helped Northwest limit goals allowed over the past two seasons. The Olive Branch native missed the entire 2021 season due to injury, only to rebound for a strong freshman campaign in 2022 and an even-stronger season this year. An everyday starter over the previous two seasons, Andrews helped Northwest outscore its opponents by a whopping 115-6 margin and earned All-MACCC recognition last month.

Andrews also signed with Jackson State University earlier this week, joining defensive teammate Raylin Dixon (Jacksonville State University) as the first members of the 2023 team to sign with four-year programs.

Northwest posted a 21-2 overall record, earning back-to-back trips to the NJCAA Division II Women’s Soccer Championship Tournament, while also securing the program’s first-ever Region 23 and co-MACCC titles.