BURNSVILLE, Minn. – The Viking soccer team was picked to finish fifth in the 2025 NSIC Preseason Coaches' Poll after finishing third just a season ago, league officials announced Thursday morning.
 
"What I am most excited about this group is their energy, positive disposition and overall desire to be successful," said head coach Brandon Barkus. "I think we will be fit and eager to prove that we are motivated to be successful! I believe that this will be a really great year for Augie Soccer!"
 
Barkus has led the Vikings since the 2006 season and currently sits with 199 career wins at Augustana. 25 athletes will return to the 2025 roster while 10 newcomers will also join.
 
In the same preseason release, junior Madelyn White and senior Avery Nelson were selected as the Vikings Offensive and Defensive Players to Watch, respectively,
 
White appeared in all 19 matches in 2024 while tallying four goals and seven assists for 15 points. She is the highest point returner on the 2025 roster with the most shots on goal. White also earned First Team All-NSIC honors in her sophomore campaign last season.
 
"Madelyn is an energetic, fun and full of life type of person and we all just love her enthusiasm for both the game and for life," said Barkus. "I am really excited to see what Madelyn does this year as her speed will draw the attention of all of our opponents, but her unselfishness and willingness to distribute the ball will be huge for our overall team attack! Madelyn thrives in competitive situations and I am very much looking forward to what she will accomplish this fall!"
 
On the defensive end, Avery Nelson earned the Player to Watch distinction heading into her senior season with the Vikings. The defender saw action in 14 matches a season ago with 692 total minutes of play while helping Augustana to hold opponents to just 0.79 goals per game.
 
"Avery is a returning leader and her grit, determination and desire to be great will be showcased this fall," Barkus said. "Avery tackles hard, strikes unbelievably accurate balls and is terrific dealing with flighted balls. She plays with such a great passion as well as her strong vocal presence, Avery will be a massively important part of this group this season!"
 
Augustana soccer will kick off its 2025 season on the road in Mankato, Minn. for a two-game weekend. Action features a noon contest on Friday, September 5 against Central Missouri and a noon match on Sunday, September 7 against Central Oklahoma.
 
2025 NSIC Soccer Preseason Coaches' Poll
1. Minnesota State – 224 (14)
2. Concordia-St. Paul – 202 (1)
3. Bemidji State – 177
4. St. Cloud State – 176 (1)
5. Augustana – 169
6. University of Mary – 159
7. Northern State – 136
8. Minot State – 128
9. Wayne State – 116
10. Winona State – 95
11. Minnesota Duluth – 83
12. Southwest Minnesota State – 64
13. Jamestown – 59
14. Sioux Falls – 59
15. MSU Moorhead – 37
16. Minnesota Crookston – 22