MINOT, N.D. - Kirsten Smith scored the game winning goal and added an assist to help give Augustana soccer a 2-1 victory over No. 22 Minot State on Saturday at Herb Parker Stadium. The win gives the Vikings a 12-2-1 record, 10-1-1 in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference, the loss dropped Minot State to 11-3-1, 9-2-1 in the NSIC.

Minot State came out with a lot of pressure on the Augustana defense early in the first half with a couple of scoring chances. The Beavers got on the board first on a goal from Andrea Franco in the 17th minute.

In the 29th minute, Stephanie Stevens would then net the equalizer, when she made a quick move passed the defender beating the goalie in the lower right corner to make the score 1-1. This was Stevens' seventh goal on the season, Smith picked up her second assist of the season on the play.  

Late in the first half, Emily Jacobson and Samantha Tymkowicz both had chances to give Augustana the lead but Minot's Celene Johnson came up with saves to keep the game tied at one.

Smith would then give the Vikings a 2-1 lead in 49th minute, when she dribbled to the top of the box and beat Johnson top left corner. This was Smith's fourth goal of the season.

The Beavers would had a chance in the 81st minute to tie the game when Emilie Rebelo would take a shot inside the box however Taylor Machacek just got a piece of the ball to keep the Augustana lead at one. After that play, defense stiffened preventing any Minot State attack and preserving the 2-1 victory.

The win on Saturday is the second time this season the Vikings have defeated a top-25 team on the road and are currently in second place in the NSIC.

Augustana will be back on the pitch tomorrow as they travel to University of Mary, kick-off is at 1p.m. at MDU Resources Community Bowl.