SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Augustana soccer travels to North Dakota to take on U-Mary and Minot State for a pair of NSIC contests this weekend. The Vikings are coming off of two shutout wins this past weekend against Southwest Minnesota State (2-0) and the University of Sioux Falls (4-0). Friday's game against U-Mary is set for 3 p.m., and Sunday's vs. Minot State slated for 12 p.m.   

Scouting Augustana:
The Vikings most recent win comes against USF in a 4-0 shutout, the Viking's third shutout of the season. Augustana also scored a season-high four goals in the win over the Cougars, with two goals coming from the foot of Freshman Alexis Legg. Julie Plonsky and Carlie Kray added the others tallies for the Vikings.

Though the Vikings broke out on the offensive side of the ball, it was Augustana's defense that helped to seal their wins this past weekend. On Monday, two Vikings were rewarded with Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference player of the week honors. Morgan Moe was named NSIC defensive player of the Week. Moe organized the Vikings defense in the two victories this weekend and guided them to a shutout in both matches. She also helped hold Southwest Minnesota State and Sioux Falls to 17 shots and zero goals scored.

Goalkeeper Claudia Pueschner was also named NSIC player of the week. During Pueschners shutout performances this weekend against SMSU and USF she faced 17 shots and none found the back of the net. Between the posts this season, Pueschner ranks second in the NSIC with the 32 saves. With three blank slates, the redshirt freshman leads the NSIC in shutouts and finds herself in the top ten with saves per game (5.33).

Offensively, the Vikings have been led by a phenomenal freshman in Alexis Legg. The Ankeny, Iowa native has buried seven goals in just six games and 14 totaled points. The program record for goals in a single season was set by Erin Seidel in 2003 with 18.

Scouting U-Mary:
Mary is (2-2-1, 1-1-1 NSIC) is coming off of a 1-0 victory at Minnesota State Moorhead.

Against MSU Moorhead Senior Caylin Cathey scored a goal for the third straight game. Cathey scored four goals in three NSIC games last week. For the season she has five goals in five games and needs just one more to equal her career best from last season.

With a goal in hand, the Marauders let their defense take center stage, holding the Dragons to just one shot in the final 20 minutes of play. In net, Madisyn Waltman posted her first collegiate clean sheet, finishing with seven saves.

Overall, U-mary is scoring an average of 1.8 goals per game ranks 7th in the NSIC.

The Vikings lead the series history 6-4-1 and the last time the teams met was Sept. 16, 2017 and the Vikings won 1-0.

Scouting Minot State:
Minot State (4-1-1, 2-1-0 NSIC) is coming off a 3-1 win over Northern State Sunday afternoon.

Jordyn Cook, Jannely Rangel and Daniela Fonseca each scored goals and Erin Rafferty made four saves and recorded a shutout as Minot State defeated Northern State 3-0.

Minot State took a 1-0 lead in the closing seconds of the first period when Jannely Rangel scored from the top of the penalty box with 13 seconds to play. Daniela Fonseca increased the Minot State lead to 2-0 with her first goal of the season at the 73:22 mark of the second. Jordyn Cook capped the scoring when she netted her second goal of the season at the 87:14 mark.

Erin Rafferty earned the win in goal for the Beavers as she turned aside four shots to notch the shutout, Minot State's third of the season. Minot State also generated a season-high 27 shots against Northern State.

Individually, they are led by Sofia Lewis with 17 points and 6 goals. Haley Berryman has chipped in four goals and 16 shots on goal this year. Goalkeeper Erin Rafferty has been strong net, allowing just six goals (.99 GAA).

All-time, the Vikings lead the series with the Beavers 6-3. When the teams last met on September 17, 2017 the Vikings won 1-0.