Viking Soccer downs Hillcats, 1-0

CLAREMORE, Okla. (Augustana) -– On Sunday afternoon on Soldier Field, the Augustana soccer team secured its first win of the 2024 season by a score of 1-0 over Rogers State. Madelyn White played hero in Sunday’s affair with her first goal of the season in the 60th minute.

Augustana fired on all cylinders throughout 90 minutes of play. 21 different Vikings touched the pitch and contributed in a variety of ways. Off the bench, Augustana contributed six shots with four on the net, with the Vikings’ lone goal coming off the bench. AU’s starting 11 compiled nine shots with three on the net.

Head coach Brandon Barkus had two goalkeepers see the field in Sunday’s win with Aaliyah Matthews playing in 16 minutes while Taya Baker saw the remaining 74 minutes. Baker came up big in the 73rd minute with a big-time stop off a penalty kick.

Audrey Parnell led the team in shots with five total, White and Avery Heinz rounded out the top three with two shots each.

Augustana edged out the Hillcats on shots 15-12 and in shots on goal 8-6. Baker made seven saves throughout 73 minutes of play.

Match Highlights
SHOT (AU) 5′ – The Vikings controlled the opening pace of play with two shots through the first five minutes. Parnell missed just left of the net in the third minute and Makenzie Nelson had her shot stopped in the fifth minute.

SHOT (AU) 19′ – Parnell found space in the offensive zone and ripped in a shot low but was denied by Tiffany Brittan.

SHOT (AU) 30′ – White had a scoring opportunity in the 30th minute and fired in a shot low and to the left but was denied.

SHOT (RSU) 38′ – Baker came up big in the 38th minute with a strong save off a shot from RSU’s Kenzie Macklin.

SHOT (RSU) 46′ – Rogers State opened up the second half with good pace and found an early scoring opportunity but was denied by Baker.

GOAL (AU) 60′ – White came into the game off the bench and made an immediate impact in the second half as she netted her first goal of the season with a shot to the lower left of the goal.

SHOTS (RSU) 57-73′ – Baker continued her strong presence in the net with three saves throughout 17 minutes of play.

SHOT (AU) 83′ – Heinz came close to pushing Augustana’s lead to two but hit the right post.

SHOTS (AU) 85′ – Parnell and Heinz both had an opportunity to close the game out in the final minutes but RSU’s keeper made big saves to keep the Hillcats within reach.

Up Next
Augustana soccer returns to Sioux Falls as it prepares for its home opener against MIAA opponent Fort Hays State on Friday at 5 p.m. on Morstad Field. They’ll continue its time at home with a midweek matchup against Northwest Missouri State on Wednesday, Sept. 18 at 3 p.m.

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