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Augustana Soccer Meets Minnesota State in Third Matchup of 2019

11/23/2019 9:00:00 AM

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. -- With its win on Friday afternoon, the Augustana women's soccer team (16-4-1) has advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament and Central Region semifinal match. The Vikings will face a familiar opponent, the Mavericks of Minnesota State (17-3-1), for the third time this season. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. on Sunday in Mankato, Minnesota.

The Game
The stakes are at an all-time high in Sunday's win or go home matchup. Augustana has the opportunity to avenge its regular season and NSIC Tournament losses to Minnesota State this weekend. A win on Sunday would send the Vikings past the second round and into uncharted territory. They would play the winner of Central Missouri and Concordia-St. Paul's match in the Central Region Championship game.

The Mavericks
The Mavericks come into their matchup with Augustana at 17-3-1 after winning the NSIC Conference Tournament last weekend. Minnesota State is 8-2-1 on its home turf this season. Central Region Player of the Year and NSIC Tournament MVP Jenny Vetter leads the Mavericks with 19 goals, seven assists and 45 points on the season. Redshirt senior goalkeeper Alexa Rabune has made 64 saves and posted eight shutouts this season.

The Vikings
Augustana has the chance to go where it has never been before, in what has already been a banner year for the program, this weekend. This is the third time in school history Augustana has advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament, all under current head coach Brandon Barkus. The 16 wins (so far) are the second most in program history. Both of those marks could be eclipsed on Sunday.

Sophomore forward Alexis Legg notched her third game-winning goal of the season on Friday afternoon against Central Oklahoma. Legg is now in a three-way tie for the team lead in game-winning goals with fellow forwards Grace Behm and Morgan Keirstead.

The Viking's offensive balance showed on Friday with sophomore forward Kenzie Geiger's goal. The Vikings now have seven players with three goals or more on the season. They only had five such players in the 2018 season and four in the 2017 season.

Player To Watch
Senior forward Grace Behm scored the Vikings lone goal against Minnesota State this season and has tallied 8 shots and 4 shots on goal against the Mavericks. Look for Behm to be the offensive spark for Augustana on Sunday afternoon.

One Last Thing
This is the first time that Augustana and Minnesota State have matched up three times in one season. The last time Augustana faced one opponent three times in a season was 2017 when it went 1-0-2 against Bemidji State.

-- GoAugie.com --

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