Augustana University Athletics

This week: Augustana (7-7-2, 6-4-1 NSIC) finishes up its regular season this weekend on the road.  On Saturday, the Vikings take to the field for a 1 p.m. Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference tilt against St. Cloud State (9-7-0, 6-5-0 NSIC).  Halloween day will mark the last regualr season match for Augustana when it faces Concordia University, St. Paul (5-9-1, 4-7-0).  The contest is scheduled to kickoff at 1 p.m.  

Series records:  The Vikings began facing St. Cloud State in 2000 and are 4-6-4 in the series.  Last season, Augustana pulled out a 4-3 victory against the Huskies in double-overtime.  The following outing for the two teams in 2009 resulted in a scoreless double-overtime tie (all-time scores vs. St. Cloud State).  Augustana and CU have met four times since 2005; the Vikings 2-1-1 against the Golden Bears.   The teams met last season and the match ended in a 2-2 tie in double-overtime (all-time scores vs. Concordia University, St. Paul).              

Last time out: Augustana went undefeated last weekend, recording a 3-0 shutout against Minnesota, Crookston and topped Minnesota State Moorhead 3-1.             

Scoring for the Vikings: Five Vikings scored six goals last weekend for Augustana.  Jessie Huff started the string of goals by scoring the first goal of the weekend against Minnesota, Crookston.  Katie Bowman, Katie Hurd, Maren Werth and Stephanie Goos were the other Vikings that found the back of the net to contribute to the successful weekend.  Huff then scored again in Augustana's second match against Minnesota State, Mankato to mark the sixth goal of the weekend for Augustana.  

Kate the great: With Augustana's starting goalkeeper Amanda Wagner out with an illness, Kate Timmons took over as the Vikings' net tender and allowed only one goal on the weekend, while also recording a shutout.  Timmons made nine stops to earn a .900 save percentage in the two matches.   

Three with three: There are three Vikings who have scored three goals this season.  Stacy Dally, Jessie Huff and Maren Werth have all had a trio of scores.  Katie Shandri leads Augustana with four goals. 

Movin' up: Augustana's wins last weekend have moved them from No. 8 in the NSIC standings to the No. 5 spot, which they share with U-Mary, according to the latest NSIC standings.   

NSIC tournament: This weekend's matches bring the regular season to a close for the Vikings.  Augustana has secured a spot in the NSIC tournament so action will continue for the Vikings into November.  If the Vikings win against both St. Cloud and CU this weekend and Minnesota State loses both its matches, Augustana will nab the No. 4 spot in NSIC and host the first round of the tournament.  MSUM, who is currently No. 4 in the latest NSIC standings, will take on Minnesota Duluth (No. 2) and Bemidji State (No. 3) this weekend.
     
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 40-41-12 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 64-126-15 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.