SIOUX FALLS, S.D. -- The Augustana women's soccer team (3-1-1) plays its first conference games at Morstad Field this weekend. The Vikings take on the UMary Marauders (2-0-1) on Friday at 4 p.m. and the Minot State Beavers on Sunday at 1 p.m.

The Games
After back-to-back road weekends, Augustana plays six of their next eight games at Morstad Field. While they open with the Marauders on Friday, their Sunday opponent will be facing off against the Wildcats of Wayne State. 

The Marauders
The Marauders come into their matchup with Augustana at 2-0-1 after a conference weekend that featured no goals. UMary battled MSU Moorhead to a 0-0 tie last Sunday and had their Friday matchup postponed due to lightning. Before NSIC play, the Marauders picked up wins against Black Hills State (2-0) and Montana State Billings (1-0). Overall, UMary has not conceded a goal yet this season.

The Beavers
The Beavers come into their matchup with Augustana at 1-4-0 after recording their first win of the season last Sunday against Northern State 1-0. The game-winning goal against Northern State by Anabel Noches was Minot State's first of the season. The Beavers had been outscored 13-0 in their previous four games. 

The Vikings
Augustana is 7-4-1 in the all-time series with UMary and 7-3 in the all-time series with Minot State. The Vikings defeated both squads last year 1-0 in overtime. The Vikings are on a five-game win streak against the Marauders and have only allowed three goals in those contests. The Vikings are also on a three-game win streak against the Beavers and have won six of the last seven matchups. 

Sophomore goalkeeper Claudia Pueschner recorded her second shutout of the season last Sunday and has not allowed a goal in six of the nine halves that she has played this season. 

The Vikings are on the brink of breaking out offensively as they are currently averaging 21.2 shots per game and 10 shots-on-goal per game. Alexis Legg, Sylvia Fehr, Josie Arduser, and Grace Behm have all taken 13-plus shots this season.

One Last Thing
After the first conference weekend of the season, Augustana was one of six NSIC teams to not suffer a loss. The Vikings 1-0-1 conference record places them in a five-way tie for second place.