Delgado’s hat trick highlights Lady Rangers’ season opener win

Photo: Mari Julia Delgado’s hat trick (3 goals, 1 assist) propelled Northwest to a 7-0 shutout of Mineral Area College on Saturday. (Kevin Pitts/nwccrangers.com)

Credit: Northwest CC Sports Information

Aug 25, 2024 – Last year’s leading scorer, Mari Julia Delgado, picked up right where she left off in Saturday night’s season-opener for Northwest.

Delgado, a sophomore midfielder from Trinity, Ala., netted three goals with an assist, helping the top-ranked Lady Rangers cruise to a 7-0 shutout of Mineral Area College, Missouri. Her first goal came in the 32nd minute, with the other two occurring in the 60th and 66th minutes of the match.

Northwest dominated the match in all facets from the opening whistle, scoring the first goal less than five minutes in, as Delgado connected with freshman Caroline Hamm. Though the Lady Rangers would not score again until the 29th minute, Northwest continued to take multiple shots, including several attempts on-goal.

Sophomore Caroline Chandler broke the scoring drought, thanks to an assist from Ruby Barton’s cross. Just a few minutes later, Delgado provided her first goal, boosting Northwest to a 3-0 halftime advantage.

After Delgado’s second goal in the 60th minute, she successfully garnered the hat trick roughly five minutes later. However, the Lady Rangers were far from finished, as two late goals helped stretch the lead even farther.

In the 88th minute, Chandler found the back of the net for her second score of the match, thanks to an assist off Emma Earwood’s cross. Freshman Molly Thompson got in on the box score as well, scoring off a bounceback from Tabitha McMackin’s shot attempt.

Northwest finished the match with 38 total shot attempts, including 23 on-goal. Mineral Area’s first shot attempt did not come until approximately the 75th minute, and the Lady Cardinals finished with just two for the match.

Northwest also took 10 corner kicks, compared to just one for Mineral Area. Reigning NJCAA and United Soccer Coaches’ All-American goalkeeper Anna Kathryn Harrell played the first 70 minutes of the match, with Ann Marie Barton picking up two late saves over the final 20 minutes.

With the victory, the Lady Rangers improved to 1-0 on the season and 5-0 in season-opening matches since the Spring 2021 season. Mineral Area dropped to 1-1 with the loss.

Northwest now turns its attention to an afternoon matinee with seventh-ranked Heartland, scheduled for Wednesday, August 28. First kick is slated for 12 P.M. with live coverage on Ranger TV.