BURNSVILLE, Minn.--The Augustana women's golf team was selected to finish first in the NSIC Preseason Poll with Molly Stevens named the NSIC Preseason Golfer of the Year. The Vikings have won 11 of the last 12 NSIC Championships and were the unanimous choice to win the NSIC.

Head coach Coralee Jorgensen, recently promoted to Augustana Director of Golf, enters her third season at the helm of the Vikings women's golf team. Jorgensen was named the 2021-22 NSIC Coach of the Year, earning her second-consecutive coaching honor since she was named head coach in 2020.

The Vikings

Seven players return to the team for the new season: Molly Stevens (sr.), Rachel Halvorson (jr.), Shannon McCormick (soph.), Masy Mock (soph.), Rachel Schwarz (jr.), Annika Stensrud (soph.) and Lauren Tims (jr.).

There are two new additions to the 2022-23 roster in Sophie Pokela and Lanie Veenendall, both coming to Augustana from high schools in Wisconsin.

"We are excited to bring on two new players from Wisconsin. They both had excellent high school careers and are now ready to take on collegiate play," Jorgensen said. "Our returning players are all able to play within the top five. We will continually be qualifying for the playing positions and that competition and camaraderie will be inspiring for all to give their best."

Molly Stevens

Stevens returns for her fourth season in 2022-23. She led the NSIC with a 76.6 stroke average in 2021-22. The Northfield, Minnesota, native earned one first place finish (Mustang Invite), five top-five finishes and eight top-10 finishes. Stevens was also named the NSIC Golfer of the Week on two occasions, September 29 and March 15 during the 2021-22 season.

"Molly is always working hard on her game. Her short game and putting in particular are fun to watch," Jorgensen said. "She is aggressive with her putting and we know that within 8 feet, the ball is going in. That confidence will carry her far this season."

The Vikings begin their season at the Central Region Fall Preview, hosted by Southwestern Oklahoma State on September 6-7.

2022 NSIC Women's Golf Preseason Coaches' Poll

1. Augustana (12)                     144

2. Concordia-St.Paul                 112

3. Wayne State (1)                    107

4. Minnesota State                    102

5. Winona State                         98

6. Sioux Falls                             88    

7. Upper Iowa                            80            

8. Southwest Minnesota State   79

9. Minot State                             62

10.  UMary                                    38            

11. Bemidji State                          37

12. Minnesota Crookston             36

13. MSU Moorhead                      31

–GoAugie.com–