SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – The 17th ranked Augustana soccer team is set to begin the 2016 with a pair of road contests. The Vikings kickoff the season with a matchup against Southwest Baptist on Thursday, Sept. 1, in Bolivar, Mo. at 4 p.m. Augustana will then wrap up opening weekend with a top-25 clash with No. 5 Central Missouri in Warrensburg, Mo. on Saturday Sept. 3 at 1 p.m.

Brandon Barkus enters his 11th season as Augustana's head soccer coach after posting a program best 19-3-1 record last season. Barkus also led the Vikings to their first ever NSIC Tournament title and their first NCAA Tournament victory.

Augustana soccer was picked to finish first in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Soccer Preseason Coaches' Poll. It marks the first time in program history the Vikings have been picked to win the NSIC in the preseason coaches' poll. The NSIC also announced junior goalkeeper Taylor Machacek as the Preseason Defensive Player of the Year.

Augustana returns three All-Central Region and NSIC performers from last season's record breaking team.

Junior forward Samantha Tymkowicz was named to first team All-NSIC and second team National Coaches Association (NSCAA) All-Central Region and Conference Commissioners Association (CCA) All-Central Region. Tymkowicz was also named as the Viking Offensive Player to Watch by the NSIC.

Junior defenseman Lauren Brownrigg took home first team All-NSIC and NSCAA All-Central Region, as well as second team CCA All-Central Region honors.

Junior goalkeeper Taylor Machacek earned third team All-NSIC and NSCAA All-Central Region honors last season.

This will be the third consecutive season Augustana will open the season with games against Southwest Baptist and Central Missouri. Last season both games were held at Morstad Field, with Augustana defeating Southwest Baptist, 5-1, but falling to Central Missouri, 2-1. The Vikings are 2-0 all-time against Bearcats and 0-2 all-time against the Jennies.