SIOUX FALLS, S.D. - Augustana head soccer coach
Brandon Barkus will welcome 28 student-athletes to campus Monday when the Vikings open practice for the 2010 campaign. The Vikings will operate on a mostly two-practice-per-day schedule until classes begin on Sept. 8.
Barkus, who owns a career record of 33-34-10, enters his fifth year as the leader of Viking soccer. Last season, he guided Augustana to 7-8-5 overall record and 4-5-4 mark in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference play. The Vikings were ninth in the final conference standings.
Augustana returns 19 letterwinners from 2009's squad and add eight newcomers to the roster for 2010. The Vikings welcome back their top scorer in senior midfielder
Katie Shandri, who netted 10 goals last season and was an All-NSIC second team pick. All-NSIC third team selection
Jill Goodrich, a senior defender, and honorable mention honoree
Ciara Godfrey, also a senior defender, are back as well. Senior midfielder/forward
Stephanie Goos, who led the team with six assists in 2009, also returns.
The Vikings open the season with a trio of exhibition matches, facing Dakota Wesleyan at 6 p.m. on Aug. 20 at home and traveling to Missouri Western State on Aug. 27 at 2 p.m. and Nebraska-Omaha on Aug. 28 at noon. Augustana ushers in regular season play in Durango, Colo., on Sept. 3 at 4:30 p.m. against Mesa State (Colo.). Sept. 18 marks the first conference match for the Vikings as they host the University of Mary at 11 a.m.
