SIOUX FALLS, S.D. - The Augustana soccer team (7-1-2, 6-0-1 NSIC) faces a pivotal portion of its schedule this upcoming weekend facing two teams ranked in the top four in the NSIC.

The Vikings, winners of seven straight and eight consecutive shutouts, will host Concordia-St. Paul (6-3-1, 4-2-1 NSIC) on Friday, Oct. 6 at 4 p.m. at Morstad Field. Augustana wraps up the weekend by traveling to Mankato, Minn. to take on No. 11 Minnesota State (8-1-1, 6-0-1 NSIC) on Sunday, Oct. 8 at 1 p.m.

Scouting Concordia-St. Paul
The Golden Bears have already surpassed last season's win total (5) and currently sit in a tie for fourth in the NSIC standings. Last season, Concordia-St. Paul went 5-9-4 (5-6-4 NSIC)
and finished 10th in the NSIC.

Augustana leads the all-time series against Concordia-St. Paul, 8-2-1. Augustana has won the last four contests by a combined score of 10-3, including the last meeting on Oct. 7, 2016 in St. Paul, Minn. 2-0.

Scouting Minnesota State
The Mavericks are are the lone NSIC team ranked in the United Soccer Coaches Poll and are tied for first in the NSIC with Augustana and Bemidji State. The Mavericks will take on Wayne State on Oct. 6 before taking on the Vikings.

Last season, the Mavericks went 16-3-3 (12-2-1 NSIC) and finished second in the NSIC. Minnesota State went on to win the NSIC tournament, defeating Augustana 1-0 in the final. The Mavericks fell to Fort Hays State in the NCAA First Round.

Minnesota State leads the all-time series against Augustana, 21-2. The Mavericks have won the last 11 meetings by a combined score of 33-6, including the last meeting in Minot, N.D., 1-0, on Nov. 6, 2016 in the NSIC tournament title match.
 
Quick Kicks

• The matchup against No. 11 Minnesota State will be the third game against a ranked opponent this season for the Vikings. Augustana is 0-1-1 in those games
• Senior Goalkeeper Taylor Machacek leads the NSIC in shutouts (8) and is seventh in saves (38)
• Augustana leads the NSIC in corner kicks (84), is second in shutouts (8) and in shots (196) and is third in shots on goal (91)

Shutout Streak

• The Vikings have recorded eight consecutive shutouts which is the most in school history
• The past record of five was set in 2014 and 2008
• The Vikings haven't given up a goal in the last 779:16
• The record for most shutouts in a season at Augustana is 11 that was set in 2015