SIOUX FALLS, S.D. -- Skylar Moen calls Sioux Falls her hometown and knew from a very young age that Augustana was where she wanted to be. 

"It's actually funny because, in second grade, I wrote in a journal that when I grow up I am going to go to Augustana, I am going to play soccer and I am going to live with my parents," said Moen, who is a rising junior for the Viking soccer team. "I did all of those but one," she said jokingly. 

Moen attended every kid's soccer camp growing up, played for the Dakota Alliance Soccer Club, coached by Augustana head coach Brandon Barkus, and did an official visit to campus. Her decision was easy and she credits the campus, faculty and soccer program in recruiting her to Augie. 
"What it came down to was it's such a close-knit community," said Moen. "It's a smaller campus and you aren't just a number. You have great relationships with your professors. It's just an incredible ratio and I know them personally because they take time out of their day to meet with you. 

"But then the soccer component as well with Barkus, (assistant coach Aric) Spader and Jess (Ries) making this a winning program. Being a junior (in high school), scared and timid, the team was so welcoming and they seemed like people I wanted to be teammates with."

Now in her third year at her hometown university, Moen, along with her fellow Vikings, are facing uncertain times due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, she has filled her time with a new full-time job at Ava's House, a hospice care facility partnered with Sanford Health. 

"In the beginning of March I accepted a job there and at first I didn't think I was going to be able to put in a lot of hours because of spring soccer, but with the pandemic, I am now working full time [three 12 hour shifts a week]," said Moen. "We are trying to make their final weeks and days as enjoyable as possible. It's a lot of emotional support as well."

Moen, a nursing major, said the facility has helped stimulate her knowledge and helped prepare her for what lies ahead at Augustana. 

"It's been super helpful because I work right next to the nurses every day," said Moen. "They take the time to help teach me the things that I am going to learn next year in clinical. It's been great to get hands-on experience and patient contact hours."
The job comes with its challenges and the COVID-19 pandemic has certainly added to that list.

"Right now we have to wear masks and face shields," said Moen when asked about extra precautions being taken. "With some rooms, we have to gown up. Gloves are always being used. We also just installed a rule that even visitors have to wear masks at all times in the facility and in the patient room."

"We also have a two visitor restriction policy per day. Unfortunately, it's the end of people's lives, so we have a lot of people who want to say goodbye, so that's been really tough lately."

In addition to working full-time hours, Moen has also been balancing her school and soccer schedule, a task that hasn't been easy, but one that Augustana's faculty and coaches have made attainable. 

"Online classes have worked well because they are flexible," Moen said. "I am able to complete my school work when I want and listen to lectures when it's easiest for me. 

"Sometimes it's challenging when there is a live Zoom class that you have to attend. But, all of our professors have been flexible throughout this whole time."

As for Soccer, Moen and the rest of the team have not missed a beat. 

"We have Fitness Tuesday and then we do positional meetings where we watch film just like we normally would," she said. "We do a meeting with our classes to catch up and see how everyone is doing. We also are doing logs to keep track of everything that we are doing and recording to keep ourselves accountable. 

"We also have Google Drive folders for everyone where we upload videos of us working on soccer skills and doing workouts. The coaches go through and make comments on those." 

With a busy schedule that is new and unconventional right now, Moen is looking forward to what will hopefully be a normal fall semester and normal soccer season. 

"I'm looking forward to reconnecting with everyone," said Moen. "It's been a weird time, we can tell that everyone is putting in the work and keeping each other accountable. It's something that is really special.

"I am most looking forward to putting all of our individual work together and combining it into a team effort."

Moen and the rest of the Vikings look to advance to the NCAA Tournament for the fourth-consecutive season this upcoming fall with aspirations of also taking home NSIC regular season and tournament titles.