BOX SCORE

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Two timely goals by Kirsten Smith propelled Augustana soccer to a 2-0 shutout win against Upper Iowa on Saturday in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference action. The Vikings jumped to 4-1 (2-0 NSIC) on the year with the victory, while the Peacocks remained winless and fell to 0-4 (0-2 NSIC) in the loss.

Smith was the deciding factor in the match for Augustana, picking up her second and third goals of the year in the win.

Senior goalkeeper Ashley Limmer posted her third straight shutout for the Vikings, tying last season's total after just five games. Limmer made five saves in the contest, all coming in the second half when UIU really turned up the pressure on offense.

Annie Thoresen turned in a solid performance on the pitch on Saturday, dishing out her second assist of the year on Smith's second goal of the contest. Thoresen's two assists lead the team.

Smith broke a scoreless tie midway through the first half, netting what turned out to be the eventual game-winner at the 25:05 mark. The Omaha, Neb. native's goal was a thing of beauty, a good strike on the ball that got past Upper Iowa's keeper from about 16 yards out in the middle of the box.

The Peacocks would control possession for a good majority the rest of the half, trailing 1-0 to Augustana at the half.

Both teams took eight shots in the first 45 minutes of play.

In the second half, UIU kept its pressure on the Vikings, getting several scoring chances that they just couldn't convert.

Augustana finally made its move in the 75th minute of regulation to put the match out of reach. Thoresen made an incredible cross from just outside of the left side of the box that found Smith right in front of the net. Smith did her part and struck the ball into the back of the net from about six yards out, pushing the Augustana lead to 2-0.

The Vikings would hold on to record the 2-0 shutout victory, keeping Upper Iowa's scoreless streak intact through four matches in 2014.

Augustana returns to the pitch on Sunday in a matchup with 10th-ranked Winona State (5-0, 2-0 NSIC). Game time is 1 p.m. at Morstad Field.