SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – The Augustana women's soccer team starts its 2024 season with a MIAA road trip. The Vikings will open the season against Central Missouri on Friday, Sept. 6 at 6 p.m. and finish off the weekend on Sunday, Sept. 8 at noon against Rogers State. 

Complete action can be followed on GoAugie.com/Live and the GoAugie app, presented by The Original Pancake House. The app can be downloaded from the App Store or Google Play.

The Jennies
Central Missouri comes into the season ranked No. 21 in the 2024 United Soccer Coaches NCAA Division II preseason coaches' poll. The Jennies were also selected to finish second in the MIAA preseason coaches' poll. 

UCM is one of three MIAA soccer programs in the poll. Defending National Runner-Up Washburn is ranked preseason number two and Emporia State is ranked No. 17. The Jennies posted an overall record of 16-5-2 last season. 

Augustana hosted Central Missouri in the 2023 season on Morstad Field and defeated the Jennies' by a score of 1-0. At the time, UCM was the nation's No. 13 team. 

The Hillcats
Rogers State was picked to finish ninth in the MIAA preseason coaches' poll after finishing 7-9-2 last season. Alix Tirado and Amaris Jasso lead the way for the Hillcats after being named All-MIAA selections in 2023. 

RSU opens its season on Sept. 5 with a road trip to Tyler, Texas to face UT Tyler before returning home to face the Vikings. Augustana faced RSU in the 2023 season and won by a score of 1-0 at Morstad Field.

The Vikings
Augustana was selected to finish fifth in the NSIC preseason coaches' poll after a 9-7-3 record in 2023. 

Redshirt sophomore Paige Bracker and junior Connor Rylance were named as Vikings' players to watch by the NSIC. Bracker started in 16 of 19 games played and contributed two goals and three assists for seven points. The Underwood, Iowa native is the highest point returner on the 2024 roster. 

Rylance, a returning junior will look to continue her strong 2023 campaign into the season. Last year she potted one goal and one assist for three points from the backend. She started in all 19 games and was named NSIC All-Conference Second Team and was awarded CSC All-Academic District Team and named NSIC All-Academic. 

The Vikings added seven incoming freshmen to the 2024 roster with head coach Brandon Barkus saying "Each player brings a unique skill set that will add depth across a variety of positions. The overall character and talent of this class is extraordinary. Plus, with their proven ability to be impactful players on both their high school and club teams, I believe they will enhance our culture, competitiveness and success on the field immediately."

After the MIAA road trip, the Vikings return to Morstad Field for a game on Friday, Sept. 13 against Fort Hays State.