SIOUX FALLS, S.D.- Stephanie Stevens scored the lone goal to give No. 23 Augustana soccer a 1-0 victory over Southwest Minnesota State on Friday at Morstad Field. The win gives the Vikings a 14-2-1 record, 12-1-1 in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference, the loss dropped the Mustangs to 7-8-2, 7-6-1 in the NSIC.

The first half was a bit slow for both teams as they tried to figure each other out. Meg Thacker and Samantha Tymkowicz both had chances to give the Vikings the lead, but their shot just couldn't reach frame. The half ended with the score tied at 0-0. Augustana outshot the Mustangs 7-2 in the first half.

"We were a little slow to start in the first half," head coach Brandon Barkus said. "I think last year's loss really got to some of the girls early."

The second half was a different story as the Vikings came out with all the pressure to try and gain the one-goal advantage. Kirsten Smith had a chance in the 56th minute that just went wide of the goal.

Stevens would give Augustana a 1-0 lead in the 71st minute when she took her own rebound and put it home. The goal was Stevens' eighth goal of the season.  

After the goal, SMSU would have a chance in the 83rd minute to tie the game on a shot from Kendhl Fisher in which Taylor Machacek got her fingertips on the ball and knocked it away. This was Machacek's eight shutout of the season.

"The second half we really took over," Barkus said.  "I thought our defense was really good today. Everyone on the back line was terrific. I was very pleased with the victory."

The win gives Augustana their 14th of the season and 12th conference win, which ties the previous mark set by last year's team.

The Vikings will be back in action on Sunday as they travel across the street to take on Sioux Fall at 1 p.m. This match will be part of the First Dakota National Bank Mayor's Cup Challenge.

--- GoAugie.com ---