Viking Days Weekend Preview
Women’s Soccer
Augustana (7-1-1, 5-0-1 NSIC) soccer will play both Winona State (4-5, 3-3 NSIC) and Upper Iowa (2-4-3, 2-2-2 NSIC) at Morstad Field this Viking Days weekend.
“I expect [both teams] will bring their ‘A’ games,” said head coach Brandon Barkus. “Since we are the private school everyone really loves to beat, I know both games will be dogfights.”
The Vikings will take on the Winona State University Warriors on Friday, Oct. 11 at 4 p.m. The team hasn’t historically done well against the Warriors with a 6-12 overall series record. However, Augustana beat Winona State last year 4-1.
At 1 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 13, the Augustana women’s soccer team will play the University of Upper Iowa. The Vikings have a 4-5-3 record against the Peacocks, and the teams tied during last year’s game.
“We have had our share of injuries, and yes for sure, losing players to injuries always hurts the team,” Barkus said. “We are deep enough to overcome some injuries and our talent level this year is high.”
Players to watch out for this weekend are senior forward/midfielder Grace Behm and senior defender Morgan Moe. In six conference games, Behm has 14 shots on goal and Moe has been on the field for every minute of conference play this season.
There will likely be snowfall on the pitch before the game. Rain and snow with winds of 15 to 25 mph are expected on Friday morning, according to the National Weather Service.
Football
Coming off of a 21-20 loss against Bemidji State, the Augustana Vikings (3-2, 3-2 NSIC) will be facing off against the St. Cloud State Huskies (3-2, 3-2 NSIC) at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 12.
The homecoming game at Kirkeby-Over Stadium provides an opportunity for redemption after last year’s 26-14 loss. The series record between Augustana and St. Cloud is 15-22.
The Vikings sit second in the southern division of the NSIC, whereas the Huskies are ranked fourth. While Augustana is ranked higher, both teams have the same game record this season.
Augustana’s average passing yards per game this season are at 209.2 and the team’s average rushing yards per game are 101.4.
Head coach Jerry Olszewski said he’s very proud of the team and thinks they’re fun to watch. “There’s such a strong brotherhood in this team. They’re playing for something bigger than just the game; they’re playing for our institution, they’re playing for the future of Augustana Football,” he said.
Olszewski said morale is fantastic this season because the team has “great leadership.”
Kyle Saddler will be back on the field after completing 10 of 33 attempts to pass the ball to teammates last game against Bemidji State.
The game will be a chilly one. The National Weather Service has predicted a chance of snowfall in the morning before the game starts and a high of 31.