SIOUX FALLS, S.D. -- Augustana soccer head coach Brandon Barkus has announced that Vikings have signed nine student-athletes to National Letters of Intent. All nine student-athletes will enroll as freshman in the fall of 2019. Wednesday is the first day of the signing period for all NCAA soccer programs.

The Viking class of nine includes: Josie Arduser (Lincoln, Neb.), Ashley Ask (Brandon, S.D.), Jillian Barkus (Sioux Falls, S.D.), Dayle Bleeker (Sergeant Bluff, IA.), Sylvia Fehr (Omaha Neb.), Kelly Kleekamp (Olathe, Kan.), Bailey McCullough (Hugo, Minn.), Katherine Pelton (Papillion, Neb.) and Allison Young (Sioux Falls, S.D.).  

"We are certainly excited about this incoming class as well as their soccer acumen and their abilities on the field, we are even more proud and excited of their genuinely authentic character and their personal drive to excel both on and off the field. Without question, each of these young women exemplifies our foundational beliefs as leaders and workers and we cannot wait for them to arrive in Sioux Falls. This class will be an immediate compliment to what is already in place here with the high quality of our returning group of athletes and leaders," Said Barkus,

"Our program has grown tremendously over the past ten years, and this is a class that will certainly help that rise continue. We are excited to welcome these nine new members to our Augustana women's soccer family," said Barkus.
 
"I would like to recognize my assistant coach, Aric Spader, for playing a key role in helping me put together such an impressive group of Vikings. We cast a very wide net across the region when we were recruiting this class, and the result is nine players representing four different states. Our goal was to bring in players with great talent and character. It was also important they fit our style of play and are driven to win a Northern Sun conference championship. I am thrilled with the results and I look forward to the start of their journey in the fall." Barkus said.

Following an outstanding regular season, including double-digits wins for the sixth straight year, the Augustana soccer team finished its season at 12-6-3 and saw their year come to an end in the NCAA Central Regional quarterfinals. Along with the phenomenal season, the Vikings also had seven student-athletes honored on the All-Conference team.