BOX SCORE

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – Augustana soccer scored early and never looked back as it posted a 2-0 shutout win against Missouri Western State on Sunday. The Vikings improved their record to 3-1 (1-0 in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference), while the Griffons suffered their first loss of the year and fell to 3-1.

The Vikings pushed their winning streak to three with the victory.

Augustana goalkeepers Ashley Limmer and Taylor Machacek teamed up to give the Vikings their second straight shutout win. The duo combined to make four saves in the match, three by Machacek, and one by Limmer.

Senior forwards Annie Thoresen and Payton Pry scored Augustana's only two goals, both coming in the first half.

The Vikings were able to be aggressive on the offensive side of the field, out-shooting MWSU 14-9 for the contest. Augustana's 10 shots on goal were just one off its season high.

Thoresen got the Vikings off to a 1-0 lead at the 19:14 mark in the first half after netting her first goal of the season, and the first given up all year by the Griffons. The Minnetonka, Minn. native's goal was unassisted on the play.

Augustana pushed its lead to two less than five minutes later after Pry netted her third goal of the year in the 24th minute of the half. Pry scored on a rebound shot to give the Vikings a 2-0 lead that would hold going into the half.

Augustana dominated the ball through the first 45 minutes, out-shooting MWSU 9-2. Five of the Vikings' nine shots were on goal.

The Vikings made a change in goal to start the second half, giving Machacek the starting nod. The freshman goalkeeper was up to the challenge, keeping the shutout in tact after making three saves, giving Augustana the shutout victory over Missouri Western State.

The Vikings return home next weekend to face two NSIC opponents at Morstad Field. First up, Upper Iowa on Saturday. Augustana will close out the weekend with Winona State on Sunday. Both games are set for 1 p.m. start times.