BURNSVILLE, Minn.-- Augustana soccer was selected to finish third in the NSIC Preseason Coaches Poll. The Vikings received three votes and 199 points in the poll while Sylvia Fehr and Jillian Barkus were named the Vikings Players to Watch.

"There are several things that excite me about this upcoming season, the experience and wisdom of our returners, especially our seniors," Augustana head coach Brandon Barkus said. "Plus the energy and abilities from our first year players as well as the overall determination, focus and grit of our second and third year athletes.

"It is always just so fun to start a season with a tremendous amount of hope and optimism and I feel like the athletes are coming in fit and possessing a strong desire to be successful! I anticipate that it is going to be a really fun season!"

Augustana returns 25 players to the pitch from the 2021 season, with Barkus adding 11 players to the roster in the offseason. Jillian Barkus, Morgan Keirstead, Sylvia Fehr and Kelly Kleekamp earned NSIC All-Conference honors in 2021.

The team held a conference record of 12-1-2 and an overall record of 14-4-2 in 2021. Augustana tallied 42 goals against NSIC opponents and the Vikings were unbeaten at home with strong wins against ranked opponents. 

Fehr, an NSIC All-Conference Second Team honoree, led the team last season with 15 assists and holds the program record for most assists in a single season. Totaling 19 assists in her career as a Viking, Fehr has tied the program record for career assists.

"Sylvia had a true breakout season last year! One of the toughest, hard-nosed players we have had play in our program. I anticipate she will continue to give teams "fits" as she goes at our opponents with a relentless drive and determination that is truly second to none in the league." Barkus continued. "Sylvia's desire to be great is something that continues to separate her from all other attackers, I know she will be amazing this season."

Jillian Barkus, also an NSIC All-Conference Second-Team honoree, made 19 starts during the 2021 season and recorded 10 shutouts in goal.

"Both Jillian's presence in goal and overall experience will be key to our success this season. She possesses the ability for us to build out of the back but to also create quick counter attacking opportunities based on her soccer intelligence and ability to read the game," Barkus said. "I believe she will be one of the toughest goalkeepers in the league to be scored on, and because of that it will lead our team to hopefully a massively successful season."

Augustana gets its season underway with a trio of non-conference games at Morstad Field in late August. To begin conference action, the Vikings head to St. Paul, Minnesota, for a matchup with Concordia-St. Paul. The Vikings make their NSIC home debut on September 23, hosting Bemidji State.

Minnesota State was named as the preseason favorite, receiving eight first-place votes. Bemidji State found the second spot with five first-place votes.

Full NSIC Poll

1. Minnesota State (9), 217

2. Bemidji State (5), 210 

3. Augustana (3), 199

4. Concordia-St. Paul, 178

5. UMary, 159

6. Minot State, 146

7. St. Cloud State, 145

8. Northern State, 141

9. Winona State, 101

10. Wayne State, 95

11. Minnesota Duluth, 89

12. Sioux Falls, 67

13. Southwest Minnesota State, 63

14. Upper Iowa, 61

15. MSU Moorhead, 30

16. Minnesota Crookston, 19

–GoAugie.com–