SIOUX FALLS, S.D. - The Augustana women's soccer team (14-3-4) begins its NCAA postseason journey against a familiar team in a relatively familiar place.

The Vikings earned the No. 4 seed in the Central Regional and will open against No. 5 seed and NSIC foe Bemidji State (15-1-3) in Warrensburg, Mo. on Friday, Nov. 10 at 1 p.m. The winner will take on No. 1 seed Central Missouri (21-0-0) on Sunday, Nov. 12 at 1 p.m. in Warrensburg.

Vikings in the NCAA Tournament and in Warrensburg
This will be Augustana's four NCAA tournament appearance and its third in its last four seasons. Augustana holds a record of 1-3 all-time in the NCAA tournament with its lone win coming in 2015 against Harding.

The Vikings are 1-3 all-time in Warrensburg with their lone win coming in 2014 against Southwest Baptist. Augustana is 0-2 against Central Missouri on their home field and 0-1 against Central Oklahoma, where they played each other in the Central Regional in 2014.

Central Regional
The Vikings and Beavers travel to Warrensburg, Mo. where the winner will play No. 1 seed Central Missouri. The other side of the Central Regional will be played in Mankato, Minn. as No. 2 seed Minnesota State (17-2-2) will await the winner of No. 3 Missouri Western State (17-4-0) and No. 6 seed Southwestern Oklahoma State (12-3-4).

The Central Region is made up of teams from the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference, the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletic Association and the Great American Conference. Minnesota State (NSIC), Central Missouri (MIAA) and Southwestern Oklahoma State (GAC) earned the automatic bids by winning their respective conference tournaments.

Scouting Bemidji State
The Beavers are 15-1-3 and earned the No. 5 seed in the Central Regional, making their first NCAA tournament in school history. Bemidji State suffered its only loss of the season to Augustana in the NSIC semifinals last weekend.

Bemidji State swept the 2017 NSIC individual awards. Rachael Norton was named Offensive Player of the Year, Miranda Famestad was selected as the Defensive Player of the Year, Catherine Arneson earned Goaltender of the Year, Allyson Smith got the Freshman of the Year nod and Jim Stone was named Coach of the Year. The Beavers had four first team All-NSIC selections and three second team honorees.

Rachael Norton leads the Beavers and the NSIC in points (38), goals (14) and assists (10). Catherine Arneson is 8-1-2 in 13 appearances and 11 starts in the net for the Beavers with six shutouts. 

Augustana leads the all-time series 7-6-2 and is unbeaten in the last six matches against Bemidji State including 1-0-1 this season. Augustana defeated Bemidji State, 1-0, in the NSIC semifinals in Mankato, Minn. on Nov. 3.
Quick Kicks

• The Vikings made their third straight NSIC finals appearance last weekend, falling to Minnesota State 2-0
• The Vikings are 1-3-2 against ranked opponents on the year
• Senior goalkeeper Taylor Machacek leads the NSIC in shutouts (13) and is tied for fifth in saves (98)
• Senior Samantha Tymkowicz is tied for third in the NSIC in goals (9) and tied fifth in points (22)
• Augustana leads the NSIC in corner kicks (151), is second in shots (368), in shots on goal (165), in shutouts (13) and is fourth in goals allowed (16)
• The Vikings have five consecutive 10-win seasons and have seven in the program's 18-year history
• The Vikings have recorded a school record 12 shutouts on the season
• Augustana has not lost in overtime in their last 17 overtime matches (8-0-9)
• Augustana has a veteran laden team with 21 student-athletes who have played in 20 or more games over their careers, including the top two players in school history in games played in Samantha Tymkowicz (83) and Mackenzie Main (80)