Augustana University Athletics

This week: Augustana (5-7-2, 4-4-1 NSIC) returns to the road this weekend for its second time facing a pair of Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference opponents. First, the Vikings will travel to Crookston, Minn., to take on Minnesota, Crookston (2-10-2, 2-7-0 NSIC) at 1 p.m. on Saturday.  On Sunday, Augustana will be in Moorhead, Minn., for a 1 p.m. tilt against Minnesota State Moorhead (1-11-1, 1-7-1 NSIC ).   

Series records: Augustana is 7-1-1 against Minnesota, Crookston in a series that began in 2002 (all-time scores vs. Minnesota, Crookston).  Earlier this season, the Vikings squared off against the Golden Eagles and the double-overtime match resulted in a 0-0 tie. Augustana is 7-1 against Minnesota State Moorhead, dating back to 2001 (all-time scores vs. Minnesota State, Moorhead).  On Sept. 10, Augustana defeated the Dragons 2-1.                    

Last time out: Augustana celebrated Senior Day last Saturday to honor the eight seniors on the Vikings' roster.  The large crowd in attendance was treated to a 1-0 shutout over Minnesota Duluth.  Augustana then played Bemidji State on Sunday and lost 1-0.            

From the freshman: Maren Werth scored her second goal of the season on Saturday to lift the Vikings to a 1-0 victory over UMD.  Werth has appeared in all 14 matches for Augustana, starting six times.  The midfielder/forward is among the leaders of the Vikings in shots with 26 and 13 on goal.  

Home sweet home: Last weekend, Augustana concluded its last home matches of the season.  The Vikings hosted seven NSIC opponents and had four wins, two losses and one double-overtime tie at home.     
     
What's left: Augustana has just four road matches left before the regular season wraps up.  While this week the Vikings are up against two conference opponents that they have already seen, the following weekend is a different story.  On Halloween weekend, Augustana will square off against a new pair of NSIC challengers.  On Oct. 30, the Vikings take on St. Cloud State, followed by Concordia University, St. Paul Oct. 31. 
         
On the road again: The Vikings have already been on the road for a total of seven matches this season.  Augustana has not faired well while on other teams' fields, posting a 0-4 away record, while going 1-1-1 on neutral ground.     

Goalie goddess: Amanda Wagner owns a 5-7-2 (4-4-1 NSIC) record as the starting goalkeeper for the Vikings. Wagner has made 94 stops on the season to earn a .870 save percentage. She has allowed 14 goals and recorded two shutouts.  Wagner's first shutout was against Minnesota, Crookston on Sept. 1, and her second occurred last weekend against Minnesota Duluth when she made seven saves on the afternoon. 

The elders: Augustana returns 20 players to this season's roster. Among them are sophomore Jessie Huff and junior Kate Timmons who were named 2010 Preseason Players to Watch in the 2010 NSIC Preseason Coaches' Poll. Huff scored seven goals last season, while Timmons recorded one assist.

The coach: Augustana head coach Brandon Barkus enters his fifth season on the Vikings sideline in 2010. Barkus owns a record of 38-41-12 at Augustana. In 2008 Barkus' squad put together the most successful season in school history, finishing 13-6-1 and 10-3 in NSIC play. The 2008 team also made the NCAA Division II tournament for the first time in school history. Barkus is assisted by Clay Glasgow and Dale Weiler.

According to the coaches: The Vikings were selected to finish sixth in the annual NSIC preseason poll, which was voted on by the 14 head coaches. Augustana received 104 points in the poll. Winona State's nine first-place votes and 162 points led them to nab the top spot, while Minnesota State, Minnesota Duluth, St. Cloud State and U-Mary also came in ahead of the Vikings.

History lesson: Viking soccer enters its 11th year of competition in 2010. Augustana owns an all-time record of 62-126-15 with one NCAA Tournament appearance in 2008.

Captains: Head Coach Brandon Barkus announced three captions for the 2010 season. Senior defender Jill Goodrich, senior midfielder Stephanie Goos and junior defender Kate Timmons will lead the Vikings. This marks Goodrich's third season as team captain.

Stay connected: Follow Augustana all season long at www.GoAugie.com. The Vikings are also on Facebook and Twitter; just log onto www.facebook.com/GoAugie and www.twitter.com/GoAugie. To catch even more Viking action log onto Augustana's official YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/GoAugie.