Augustana University Athletics

This week: Augustana (1-3-1, 0-0 NSIC) begins its conference portion of the 2010 soccer schedule with two home matches this weekend. The Vikings host U-Mary on Saturday for an 11 a.m. match and Northern State on Sunday at 1 p.m.

Series records: When Augustana takes on U-Mary this Saturday, it will be the third contest between the two schools. U-Mary currently leads the series 2-1 (all-time scores vs. U-Mary). Augustana began playing Northern State in 2000, during the first year of soccer for the Vikings, and Sunday's match will mark the 12th time the two schools have gone head-to-head. The Vikings are 3-9 against the Wolves (all-time scores vs. NSU).

We'll do it live: Augustana will provide live statistics for both matches this weekend. Click on the following link to track both of Augustana's matches live: www.GoAugie.com/livestats.

Last time out: The Vikings picked up their first win of the season last weekend and finished 1-1-1 for the week.  Augustana started the week by traveling to Nebraska-Kearney but fell short, losing 1-0 in double-overtime.  The Vikings were victorious against Minnesota State Moorhead last Friday, defeating the Dragons 2-1 in St. Cloud, Minn., at the Northern Sun Festival.  Neither Augustana nor Minnesota, Crookston could find the net last Sunday in a double-overtime contest that finished 0-0.

Twice as nice: Katie Bowman scored the first goal of the season for Augustana to help the Vikings pick up their first win against Minnesota State Moorhead.   Bowman has recorded seven shots and three on goal so far this season. Katie Shandri was also able to find the back of the net last Friday to secure Augustana's win. Currently, Shandri leads the Vikings in points with three, recording one goal and one assist. The midfielder has had 11 shots and five on goal.

Seeing double: Sunday's double-overtime match with Minnesota, Crookston is a situation Augustana is familiar with. The Vikings have found themselves in three double-overtime contests so far this season and had seven double-over time matches last season. Augustana has played in a total of 22 double-overtime matches in program history, posting a 2-4-15 record in that scenario.

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 34-37-11 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 58-122-14 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.