For Augustana women's soccer in 2021, head coach Brandon Barkus has been tasked with something he has never had to do before, coach both of his daughters at the same time. 
 
Junior Jillian Barkus, Brandon's oldest, has started every game in net. Meanwhile, freshman forward Sierra Barkus has played in every game and has scored two goals on the year. 
 
"It's when we step on the field for practice and games, it's all about being coach," Brandon said. "Then, it's after the game, depending on how we perform, how much time I need for me to be Dad." 
 
Brandon also said that after games it's hard for him to be able to be the father figure right away.  He has to clean up the field, break down the film, think about how to make adjustments, and build off of the performance. Meanwhile, other parents can go out to eat with their kids, talk about their classes and life. 
 
"It's really different, it's kind of hard to articulate or explain, but it's kind of sad or sucks for them a little bit because they see all their buddies and their parents are there," Brandon said. "But there are just some challenges you know, there's the pressure of winning. As much as I want to just kind of turn it off and turn it on it's sometimes very challenging. 
 
Women's soccer has gone to the NCAA Tournament in five of the last six seasons, they've finished fourth or better in the conference six-straight years, and  had double-digit wins for seven-straight seasons. Barkus has been at the helm since 2006 and has been above .500 in all but four seasons. 
 
"Having to differentiate the way I feel when I was just playing soccer by myself, versus having my dad as the coach, then with having my sister on the team, as well as my dad as the coach, isn't all that different," Jillian said. "I have been playing for my dad for the past five years now, and my other coaches had the same coaching style as my dad.
 
Switching between coach and father is something that Brandon said is challenging for himself. Being able to have his wife, Jennifer, at his side helps to ease that challenge. 
 
"My wife has always been a much much much much much much much better parent than me, always," Brandon said. "So, thank God for her, I'm really blessed." 
 
Brandon understands that it won't be long before both of his daughters are graduated and done with college soccer. He's trying to appreciate what he has in front of him and take in these moments day by day.
 
"It just means I'm getting older," Brandon joked. "This is the problem, that puts me getting close to 50, I mean who wants that. My knee is getting arthritis and I don't move as well as I once did."
 
Even with his declining mobility, Brandon is still able to stay in touch with his daughters. They both explained that they are happy with their decision to play at Augustana. 
 
"We talk about soccer all the time. I don't feel like there is a break," Jillian said. "It isn't a bad thing, and we definitely talk about other things but soccer is a big thing that our world revolves around. When I was younger, I thought it was easy to play for my dad, now it's not because the expectations double compared to my teammates, but I am happy in my decision of choosing Augie." 
 
Jillian and Sierra played together for multiple years at O'Gorman High School in Sioux Falls before they committed to play at Augustana. 
 
"I feel that everyone thought Jillian and I would automatically choose Augie and play soccer there," Sierra said.  "When I was younger, I always said that I was going to move far away and play soccer in a warm state, but now I realize I would not like life if I moved away. I am very happy with my decision to play at Augie because if I did not, I would have never met my second family."
 
Before Brandon went on to name every senior as a great leader for his daughters and team, he gave a final quote that assured he's taking these days one at a time. 
 
"Obviously, nothing's predictable and you got to cherish these moments," he said. "I'm just really blessed to have my kids along with me."