SENATOBIA, Miss. – The No. 3 Northwest Mississippi Community College women’s soccer team has earned the #2 overall seed for the 2025 National Tournament in Wichita, Kansas, after clinching the Gulf South District Championship.
The defending national champions secured their automatic bid by winning the Region 23 title. They will compete as the top seed in Pool B, facing #7 Iowa Lakes Community College and #11 Southern Union State Community College. The Rangers are set to open tournament play on Sunday at 12:30 p.m. against Southern Union State.
“They’ve worked so hard,” Head Coach James Beattie said. “The postseason for me is a reward for what you do in the season. They have worked tirelessly since August first and this is reaping the reward of everything that we’ve done.”
Southern Union State (9-5-2) earned its spot by defeating Cape Fear Community College, led by Macy Chambers, who scored four goals in the district final.
On Tuesday, the Rangers will face #7 Iowa Lakes (12-4-2). The Lakers, ranked 15th nationally, clinched their spot with a penalty-kick victory over #1 Johnson County Community College.
“I’m excited to play against two teams that we haven’t played yet this season,” Beattie said. “There’s not going to be any bad teams at the national tournament so both games are going to be competitive.”
Sophomore Emma Jensen, a returning First Team All-American, echoed the sentiment.
“It’s a national tournament and every game counts and that’s what you play every game in the season for,” Jensen said. “I don’t know a lot about them, but it’s nice to play new teams.”
Northwest (record not specified) boasts a formidable resume, having led the nation with 113 goals. The offense is powered by Jensen, the reigning MACCC Player of the Year, who has 27 goals and eight assists. Freshman Caroline Perkins has added 15 goals.
The defense is anchored by the trio of Lena Scholze, Allison Carroll, and Allie Kimbrell.
Despite entering as the defending champions, both player and coach are focused on the present.
“Last year was last year, this year is this year,” Beattie said. “I don’t think we’ve got any right to go in and just think we are going to perform. We need to control what we can control.”
If the Rangers advance from pool play, the national semifinals are scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 20, with the championship game set for Saturday, Nov. 22, at 1 p.m. CST.
Bob Bakken provides content for DeSoto County News and its social media channels. He is an award-winning broadcaster, along with being a reporter and photographer, and has done sports media relations work with junior and minor league hockey teams. Along with his reports on this website, you will find this veteran media member providing sports updates and high school football play-by-play on Rebel 95.3 FM Radio.
