Augustana University Athletics

This week: Augustana (3-5-2, 2-2-1 NSIC) opens a four-match homestand this weekend against Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference opponents Minnesota State (5-4-1, 3-1-1 NSIC) and Southwest Minnesota State (1-6-1, 0-4-1 NSIC).  The contest against MSU is scheduled for Friday at 4 p.m., while SMSU is due to arrive in Sioux Falls on Sunday to play at 1 p.m.    

Series records: Augustana is 2-11 all-time against MSU (all-time scores vs. Minnesota State).  The Vikings began playing the Mavericks in 2000 but didn't see a win until 2006 when Augustana topped MSU 2-1.  Sunday's match against SMSU will be the 11th meeting for the two teams.  The Vikings are up in the series 6-3-1 (all-time scores vs. Southwest Minnesota State).  Augustana has won six consecutive matches against SMSU, beginning with a 5-2 win in 2004.         

Last time out: Augustana squared off against Upper Iowa last Saturday and lost 2-1 in double-overtime.  The following day the Vikings went head-to-head against Winona State and fell 1-0 in overtime.        

Kick it: Three Vikings have scored goals this season.  Katie Shandri leads Augustana with four goals, while Stacy Dally has kicked three balls past goalkeepers.  Dally's third goal of the season was recorded in last Saturday's match against Upper Iowa.  Katie Bowman scored a lone goal for Augustana on Sept. 10 against Minnesota State Moorhead. 

Overtime: The Vikings are two-double-overtime matches away from tying last season's record of seven- double-overtime matches.  Last Saturday, the Vikings went into double-overtime action against the Upper Iowa and the result was the third double-overtime loss for Augustana this season.  The other two double-overtime contests ended in ties.             

Goalie goddess: Amanda Wagner owns a 3-5-2 (2-2-1 NSIC) record as the starting goalkeeper for the Vikings. Wagner has made 65 stops on the season to earn a .867 save percentage. She has allowed 10 goals and recorded one shutout against Minnesota, Crookston.

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 36-39-12 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 60-124-15 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.