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Today is the last day of the fall semester and the end of finals week for our hard-working students, and as they disperse to homes far and near for the holiday break, I thought it would be fitting to give out some informal awards for the first half of the 2008-09 school year.
IMPORTANT NOTE: These awards are solely determined on the whimsy of your friendly sports information director, and as always, your mileage may vary ...
The AND WHEN HE WASN'T DOING EVERYTHING ELSE, HE WAS MAKING POPCORN FOR THE CONCESSION STAND AND SAVING LITTLE PUPPIES, KITTENS, DUCKIES AND BUNNIES award ... to football wide receiver Royce Winford for his performance against Hamline on Oct. 4. On offense, he caught eight passes for 94 yards and the go-ahead touchdown in the third quarter. And he caught a two-point conversion pass. And he also played on defense and had an interception and two tackles. And he returned a fumble on a Hamline conversion attempt the other way for two points for the Auggies. All in all, not a bad day at the office for Royce, who later was named All-MIAC, All-Region and the MIAC's MVP. And he's got a good shot to be named a D-III All-American when the awards are announced this Saturday.
The THERE'S NOT ENOUGH ROOM IN THE TROPHY CASE ANYMORE award ... to men's soccer defender Alex Hildebrandt, who is one of the top players in the conference AND a finance major with a 3.86 grade-point average. Let's count the number of awards Alex has received so far this year -- 1. All-MIAC; 2. All-MIAC Sportsmanship Team; 3. ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District first team; 4. ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America third team; 5. NSCAA/Adidas All-Far-West Region first team; 6. NSCAA/Adidas Division III All-America second team; 7. NSCAA/Adidas Scholar All-North/Central Region. And he might get another one for NSCAA/Adidias Scholar All-American before the week is over. And he'll be named an Academic All-MIAC honoree in the spring.
The SHE'S A BRICK ... HOUSE, IN A GOOD WAY award ... to women's soccer goalkeeper Maggie DeGroot. Like the great Commodores song (kids, that's a music group from the 70s ... look it up on Google) says, "she's mighty, mighty." She re-wrote the Augsburg record book for goalkeeping, with 37 career wins, 36 shutouts, a 0.68 career goals-against-average and 401 saves (.887 save percentage). This year, she went 10-4-4 with a 0.59 GAA and tied her single-season school record with 10 shutouts. She earned All-MIAC first-team honors for the second year in a row, All-Central Region honors for the first time, and in a true sign of respect, earned All-MIAC Sportsmanship team honors for the third straight year. Oh, and this year, she decided to play basketball as well, and is a reserve forward for the Auggies.
The PROOF THAT THERE IS STILL A "STUDENT" IN STUDENT-ATHLETE award ... to football quarterback Jordan Berg. Let the critics criticize big-time college athletics all they want. In Division III, the concept of the student-athlete is still alive and well. Jordan ended his career as the top passing quarterback in school history, finishing with 8,777 passing yards on 796-of-1,350 passing with 74 touchdowns, all school records, in just three seasons at Augsburg (and he did it during his senior year while battling a knee injury over the second half of the season). He earned All-MIAC and all-region honors and was one of four regional finalists for the Gagliardi Trophy as the outstanding student-athlete in Division III football. And he did this all while maintaining a 3.80 grade-point average with a physics major. And he's a really good artist. And he does a ton of community service. And he restored his own Harley-Davidson motorcycle. Jordan is truly a renaissance man.
The HOLY COW, THAT'S NOT A TYPO, RIGHT? award ... to men's golfer Tony Vanyo, who shot a 7-under-par 65 in the final round of the Gustavus Twin Cities Classic -- considered the top small-college golf meet in the Midwest -- on Sept. 29. The round was an Augsburg school record and tied for three others for the second-lowest single-round score in MIAC history. And Tony was really cool about the whole thing -- in a blog post about his round, he ended simply: "I was thinking to myself, '65 sounds a lot better than 66'." Tony ended up averaging 74.2 strokes per-round this fall and finished second at the MIAC championships, part of a great turnaround for head coach Ted Vickerman's men's golfers, who finished third as a team in the conference meet.
The IT'S NOT ABOUT HOW YOU START, IT'S ABOUT HOW YOU FINISH award ... to the Auggie volleyball team. Augsburg started the season well, going 6-3 in the first two weeks of play. But then the Auggies struggled, losing four straight matches to fall to 8-8 midway through the campaign. But something clicked, and coach Jessica Rinehart's crew went on a dramatic run to finish the season just shy of making the six-team MIAC postseason tournament. In the final stretch, Augsburg won four straight MIAC matches in the five-set limit, including breaking a 31-match losing streak to St. Olaf in an incredible home win on Oct. 15. Augsburg finished 17-12, tying the most wins for the Auggies since 1998.
The BORN TO RUN award ... to cross country dynamo Brent Haglund. He had one of the best seasons for an Auggie harrier ever, winning two races while placing second in another, setting a school record in the 8,000-meter men's distance (25:15.27), finishing seventh at the MIAC championships and sixth at the Division III Central Regional to become the first Auggie since 1996 to qualify for the Division III national championships. And at the national meet, he fell just two seconds shy of his previous school record and finished 57th overall. And he's just a junior.
The SOMETIMES, GREATNESS DOESN'T SHOW UP ON THE STAT SHEET award ... to men's soccer midfielder James See and women's soccer defender Felicia Faison. Both weren't lighting up the scoreboard -- See had two goals and six assists in his career, while Faison had one goal and five assists in her career. But both were considered among the top players in the conference at their positions throughout their careers. James was the unquestioned leader of an Auggie men's soccer team that improved throughout his career and made the NCAA tournament for the first time this year. He earned All-MIAC honors three times and finally got his due regionally with an All-Far West Region honor this year. The same can be said for Felicia, who was the model for an outstanding outside defender, earning All-MIAC first-team honors and All-Central Region first team honors this year.
The IS THERE SUCH A THING AS A FIVE-TOOL PLAYER IN VOLLEYBALL? award ... to volleyball player Julie Jenkins. In baseball, a "five-tool player" is someone who can do it all, both at the plate and on defense (think Alex Rodriguez or Justin Morneau). In volleyball, Jenkins would fit that description. A dominant outside hitter, she finished with 250 kills and 77 blocks. As the team's No. 2 setter, she recorded 97 assists. And as an all-around outstanding athlete, she finished with 238 digs. In her three seasons at Augsburg, she finished with 643 kills, 1,046 assists, 99 aces, 687 digs and 238 blocks -- believed to be the first player in school history to record at least 600 kills, 600 digs and 1,000 assists in a career. She earned All-MIAC honors this year.
The ROAD WARRIORS award ... to the Augsburg men's soccer team, for an incredible postseason, all of it played away from Minneapolis. Making the MIAC playoffs as the No. 3 seed, the Auggies broke a 12-game losing streak to Gustavus with a dominating 3-0 semifinal win in St. Peter. Then, the Auggies played one of the most dramatic games of the year with a 0-0 game at Carleton in the MIAC championship game, a title the Knights claimed on penalty kicks. In the Auggies' first-ever appearance in the NCAA Division III national playoffs, they had to fly to Spokane, Wash., for a first-round advancement in a penalty kick shootout at Whitworth, and then flew from Spokane to Los Angeles for a 1-0 win at Redlands (Calif.) in the second round. And finally, in bone-chilling conditions in Dubuque, Iowa, the Auggies' magical run came to an end with a 2-1 loss in two overtimes at Loras (Iowa), in a Sweet Sixteen game that will be remembered as a classic struggle between two great teams. What a run for the Auggies, finishing 12-4-7 overall under fifth-year coach Greg Holker.
The KING OF THE BONUS POINTS award ... to Auggie wrestler Travis Lang. The 133-pounder has started the season 14-0 and is ranked No. 1 in the nation in the D-III national polls. Of his 14 wins so far, 13 have been bonus-point triumphs -- 10 pins, one major decision and two technical falls. Last season, his first as an Auggie after transferring from Division I Minnesota, he finished 38-4 and had 28 bonus-point wins (21 pins, four technical falls, three major decisions), en route to a fifth-place national finish.
The WHAT A FALL! award ... to Augsburg's fall sports teams. For the first time in school history, the four Augsburg fall team sport squads all finished with .500 or better records -- football finished 5-5, men's soccer finished 12-4-7, women's soccer finished 10-4-4 and volleyball finished 17-12. And the individual sport squads also shined, as the Auggie men's golf team placed third in the league meet, the women's golfers had an individual in the top 25 in the conference meet, and the men's and women's cross country teams both improved in both league and regional action, with two all-region honoree and a national meet qualifier. In all, 28 Auggies earned All-MIAC first-team, second-team or honorable-mention honors from fall sports. And if that great fall is any indication of how well the Auggie sports year will be, then winter and spring should be great as well!
And finally, my personal choices for the outstanding individual athletes of the first half of the year ...
OUTSTANDING MALE ATHLETE OF THE FIRST HALF OF THE YEAR -- Royce Winford, football. Honorable-mention choices: Alex Hildebrandt, men's soccer; Brent Haglund, men's cross country/track and field; Travis Lang, wrestling; Tony Vanyo, men's golf; James See, men's soccer. Players to watch for in the winter and spring: Jon Cassens, men's basketball; Nate Alm, men's basketball; Chris Johnson, men's hockey; Jared Massey, wrestling; Seth Flodeen, wrestling; Craig Henry, baseball; Jon-Eric Urseth, baseball; Nick Ward, men's track and field; Colby Anderson, men's golf.
OUTSTANDING FEMALE ATHLETE OF THE FIRST HALF OF THE YEAR -- Maggie DeGroot, women's soccer. Honorable-mention choices: Felicia Faison, women's soccer; Jennifer Lovering, women's cross country; Julie Jenkins, volleyball; Katie Christensen, volleyball. Players to watch for in the winter and spring: Christa Suedbeck, women's basketball; Shannon Renne, women's basketball; Tiffany Magnuson, women's hockey/softball; Jennifer Castillo, softball; Whitney Holman, women's track and field/women's soccer.
MOST IMPROVED MALE ATHLETE OF THE FIRST HALF OF THE YEAR -- Victor Sanchez, men's cross country. Honorable-mention choices: D.J. Wendell, men's soccer; Colby Anderson, men's golf; Jason Potts, football; Muneer Al-Hameed, football; Nick Anderson, men's soccer.
MOST IMPROVED FEMALE ATHLETE OF THE FIRST HALF OF THE YEAR -- Katie Christensen, volleyball. Honorable-mention choices: Shanna Reed, volleyball; Katie Medd, women's soccer; Stefani Zappa, women's golf; Sadie Dietrich, women's cross country; Barbara Simmons, volleyball.
MALE ROOKIE OF THE FIRST HALF OF THE YEAR -- Tony Vanyo, men's golf. Honorable-mention choices: Dan Brown, football; Peter Loyd, men's soccer; Marcus Elmerskog, men's soccer; Peter Joppru, football; Andy Grzesiak-Grimm, men's basketball; Nick Guran, men's hockey.
FEMALE ROOKIE OF THE FIRST HALF OF THE YEAR -- Serenae Levine, women's basketball. Honorable-mention choices: Kali Holst, women's hockey; Lisa Weniger, women's soccer; Kacie Bahr, women's cross country.
The Augsburg men's soccer team has some friends in high places in the soccer world.
Fox Soccer Channel's Jeremy St. Louis gave a shout-out to the Auggies in his FSC blog in November, just before the Auggies traveled to face Loras (Iowa) in the second round of the NCAA Division III national playoffs:
"The NCAA College Soccer season is winding down – and while everyone is focused on what’s going on in Division I, I want to send out some kudos to a good friend of mine in Division III. Greg Holker is the coach of the Augsburg College Auggies and for the first time in the school’s history, Holker has taken the team into the NCAA tournament! Sure, it’s not a unique story but having come to know Greg, I know it wasn’t easy. He took a program with a horrid track record and has turned them into a winner. He’s one of the most dedicated coaches I know and no matter how the season ends for the Auggies, they have every reason to be proud of themselves. They play Loras College in Dubuque, IA this weekend – should be a good game!"
This is the same Jeremy St. Louis that gave Augsburg kudos on the air last year, when coach Greg Holker sent Jeremy an Augsburg soccer scarf.
The Augsburg men's and women's track and field teams' Run-A-Thon was another success this year. With a goal of running 200 miles in a 24-hour period over Saturday and Sunday, the Auggies exceeded their goal -- running a total of 211.25 miles, all in circles around Murphy Square Park!
Looking out my window onto the park, it looks like it's roughly a 400-meter (440-yard) distance. So if that's the case (about four laps to a mile), this amateur mathematician would estimate that the Auggies ran 845 laps around the park in a 24-hour span, much of which was in single-digit weather and in the snow over the weekend.
The Run-A-Thon is a fundraiser for the team's Spring Break trip to southern California (the team will compete at meets at Occidental College on March 13-14).
The Augsburg men's and women's track and field team is taking part in its annual Run-A-Thon fundraiser this weekend -- Saturday and Sunday (12/6-7). The team will attempt to run 200 miles in a 24-hour period, running laps around Murphy Square Park in the middle of campus. One team member will be running at all times during the 24-hour period, and the Kennedy Center will be open during the relay for warmth, rest and food.
Money raised from the Run-A-Thon will go to costs for the team's Spring Break trip to southern California (the team will compete at meets at Occidental College on March 13-14). You can show your support by pledging a certain amount of money per mile run.
For more information or to pledge your support, contact head coach Dennis Barker at barkerd@augsburg.edu or 612-330-1435, or contact any track and field team member.
The Augsburg Dance Team is hosting its annual Dance Show this Saturday (12/6) at 7:30 p.m., at Si Melby Hall. In addition to the outstanding Augsburg Dance Team, there will also be performances from the dance teams from St. Cloud State, St. Catherine, the Minnesota Maulers and the Minnesota Vikings Cheerleaders.
Also, members of the Augsburg football team will be joining forces with the Augsburg Dance Team for a special performance -- it may be something you don't want to miss!
Cost to attend is $5 for adults, $3 for students, children and seniors, and FREE for Augsburg students with ID.
7:05 p.m. -- Welcome to our first-ever soccer live blog! We are in the Rock Bowl press box on the campus of Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa, for Augsburg's NCAA Division III men's soccer sectional game between Augsburg and Loras. The winner will advance to face Ohio Northern (20-5-1), who beat Hobart (N.Y., 18-1-3) 2-1 in the first game tonight. ONU scored twice in a 15-minute span early in the second half, and held off a strong comeback by Hobart to advance to Sunday's sectional final.
Like everywhere in the Midwest this weekend, it's COLD! The Weather Channel says it's 32 degrees here in Dubuque, with a windchill of 26 (at least it's not too windy!). The Rock Bowl is a unique stadium ... it's literally what it's named as, a stadium cut into a rock bowl in a little valley between hills on the upper end of Dubuque, a city on the mighty Mississippi River. It's a FieldTurf surface, a lot like Augsburg's Edor Nelson Field's SprinTurf surface, except it's several yards wider than the Augsburg stadium. It may be like the wide field Augsburg faces when it plays at Gustavus ... but Augsburg did claim a win at Gustavus in the MIAC playoffs this year, so hopefully that trend will continue tonight.
Given the wintry conditions, the crowd is a little small, but there is still a hearty contingent of Auggie supporters here, both parents and alumni, bundled up and sitting right below us near the center of the field. There was a small reception sponsored by the Augsburg Alumni and Consitutent Relations department in the student center here before the game.
Looks like it will be a 7:40 p.m., or so start time ... watch the live video online and come back here periodically for some updates in print. Hopefully, it's going to be a great game!
8:10 p.m. -- About 20 minutes to go in the first half ... Both teams have had a couple of good chances. Five minutes in, Loras had a corner kick that came in on one bounce to Nate Minkel, right in front of the net, but his header just went over the crossbar. A minute later, Augsburg's D.J. Wendell played a nice sprint deep into Loras territory and earned a corner kick, but the Auggies couldn't convert. Nine minutes in, Augsburg's Alex Hildebrandt had a great chance on a header off a corner kick in front, but his header went high.
Goalkeeper Pascaul Venter made a great stop on a cross with 34 minutes left in the first half. With 24 minutes left, a shot by Van Hong went wide.
The game has been a good defensive struggle ... Augsburg has been known for its defense, giving up just 11 goals so far this season, and the Auggie backs have put some solid pressure on the Loras 3-5-2 alignment. Weather conditions don't seem to be a major factor. Yes, it's cold, but the guys seem to be used to it.
OH, WOW ... 18:45 left ... Augsburg had a great chance on a corner kick. The goalkeeper went forward and left the goal a bit exposed, and an Auggie header hit the bottom of the crossbar and bounced back away from the goal. Best chance of the game so far. A minute later, Augsburg has another chance on a counter-attack, but a cross goes just wide.
8:25 p.m. ... 10 minutes left in the first half ... James See is incredible. With 14 minutes left, he gets fouled and goes down, but he gets back up after a short stoppage. A minute later, he nearly puts the Auggies on the scoreboard on a terrific shot, but it misses high. Coach Greg Holker always has compliments for See as one of the best players in the entire conference, and his play tonight has been exemplary so far.
A few minutes later, subsitute defender Simon Rekkebo does a great job of stopping a Loras chance inside the penalty box, with some nifty footwork to jar the ball from the Loras forward.
In the last couple minutes, Augsburg has been whistled twice for offsides. Augsburg has started to take more control of possession, though it has gone back and forth between these two talented teams ... as you'd expect from a playoff game this deep into the tournament.
8:30 p.m. -- HALFTIME -- 0-0.
In the last half-hour of play, Augsburg has definitely dominated the scoring chances. Stats show six shots for Augsburg to one for Loras ... none on-goal as of yet. With three minutes left in the half, Peter Osborn served a nice free kick from 30 yards out into the box, and Marcus Elmerskog missed high on a shot on the loose ball. In the final minute, Lucas Ingram had a corner kick from 40 yards out which was smothered by Loras goalkeeper Nate DuBois. And in the closing seconds, goalkeeper Pascaul Venter made a nice stop on a Loras cross.
The game has been physical -- Loras has eight fouls, while Augsburg has six -- but not out of control. Both teams are showing good poise in their possessions. Augsburg has made some nice passes and has put together some solid counterattacks.
The first game tonight, between Hobart (N.Y.) and Ohio Northern, was also tied 0-0 at halftime, and ONU scored twice in the first 21 minutes of the second half to gain a 2-1 win ... will we see the same offensive fireworks in this game? Stay tuned -- it's going to be a good one!
8:48 p.m. -- GOAL!!!! AUGSBURG 1-0! (43:37 remaining in second half)
A minute into the second half, Augsburg's Marcus Elmerskog was fouled on a drive from 30 yards out, drawing a free kick. From the right side about 30 yards out, Andrew Seidel made a perfect service across the box to the left, and fittingly, Elmerskog finished it, diving for a shot past the Loras goalkeeper and into the net. Auggies ahead on the Norwegian's second goal of the year.
9:15 p.m. -- 20 minutes left, Augsburg leading 1-0
As a lot of soccer teams do when they get a goal in a close game, Augsburg's defense has collapsed, with five defenders back (again, James See has made a terrific adjustment to directing the defense from his center-mid position). The whole defense has played great so far. Even so, Augsburg has had some decent counter-attacks, but the Loras defense has also played well.
Loras has had a couple of huge chances in the past few minutes. With 27 minutes left, a Loras header was saved by Venter, and five minutes later, Loras had one of their best chances to score, as a shot was punched out in a scrum by Venter, and the resulting rebound was shot high over the crossbar.
9:23 p.m. -- GOAL -- Augsburg 1, Loras 1. (10 minutes left in second half)
Loras has had a lot of chances in the last few minutes, and they finally cashed one in. Loras had four shots on a scramble -- a shot by Sean Crosby deflected off the crossbar, two shots were blocked, and Justin McCord finally converted for the Duhawks, putting a shot from left to right across the crease, bouncing off the far post and into the net.
A brand new ballgame. Loras has had the momentum lately, but it may be time for an Augsburg comeback ...
9:35 p.m. -- END OF REGULATION -- Augsburg 1, Loras 1 -- We're going to overtime!
After the Loras goal, the Duhawks had another chance to score, but Venter made a great stop on a three-way pass play in the box. Augsburg has tried to counterattack, but was whistled for offsides three times. On a free kick with five minutes left, Augsburg had a chance to score on a scramble in the box, but a shot by Andrew Seidel on the left side of the six-yard box was blocked.
Time for overtime ... Augsburg has played nine overtime games this year, with a 1-1-7 record. Two of those seven ties have been playoff shootouts (PK shootouts are officially recorded as ties), with Carleton winning the PK battle in the MIAC playoff championship game on Nov. 8, and Augsburg winning the PK battle in the first-round NCAA playoff win at Whitworth (Wash.) on Nov. 13.
9:52 p.m. -- END OF FIRST OVERTIME -- Augsburg 1, Loras 1 -- More bonus soccer!
A scoreless first 10 minutes of overtime. Loras had a decent chance to score with 3:30 left, but a shot by Donnie St. George went high. Augsburg had three good chances in the last three minutes -- a shot by Marcus Elmerskog went wide with 2:56 left, a shot by Nick Anderson off a great feed by Alex Hilderandt went wide with 2:20 left, and a long shot by James See was saved by the Loras goalkeeper.
Another 10 minute, sudden-victory overtime ... if things are still tied, it's shootout time!
10:00 -- GOAL -- LORAS 2, AUGSBURG 1 (2OT).
And a great season for Augsburg comes to an end. Augsburg had a couple of chances left, but on a counterattack by Loras with 4:30 left, Nick Berndt played a ball on the sprint from right to left past Pascaul Venter, putting it in the goal and enabling host Loras to advance to the sectional final tomorrow night.
We'll have a game story and stats online shortly. What a great season for Augsburg ... In its first-ever appearance in the NCAA tournament, the Auggies finished 12-4-7 and reaching heights never before achieved by this team. What a special year, and what a special team.
The Augsburg men's hockey team will be taking part in a unique fundraiser on Saturday (11/22) at 7 p.m. at its game against St. Thomas at the Augsburg Ice Arena.
In order to raise money and awareness for breast cancer research, the Auggies will be wearing special pink jerseys for Saturday's game, designed and donated by Tim Hawkinson and Eric Knutson from Showcase Hockey. Fans are also encouraged to wear pink clothing to the game.
Team members are asking for donations, both at the gate and via pledge sheets. Donations will be given to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation - Minnesota Affiliate.
The special pink jersey fundraiser game was the brainchild of Augsburg men's hockey players Andrew Kent, Brett Way and Kurt Hogard, along with cross country/track athlete Kelsie Lungstrom, as part of a business class project, according to men's hockey coach Chris Brown.
This is the second year that the men's hockey team has held a breast cancer fundraiser, held in memory of Lois Hallcock Johnson '68, the wife of assistant coach Bruce Johnson '68. Lois died on Nov. 26, 2007 after a battle with breast cancer. A teacher, coach and counselor, she worked in the Osseo (Minn.) School District for 36 years, and was a strong supporter of her alma mater. Their three children -- Leah, Thomas and Aaron -- all attended Augsburg.
Come watch the Augsburg men's soccer team battle Whitworth University in the first round of the NCAA Division III championships! We will be showing a live feed from Whitworth University on a big screen in the Christensen Center Student Lounge. The game starts Thursday at 3 p.m. We will be serving popcorn and pop. Come wearing your maroon and help us cheer on the Auggie men's soccer team.
It's a great day for men's soccer at Augsburg. The Auggies earned a berth in the NCAA Division III national tournament for the first time in school history, and will travel out west to Spokane, Wash., for a game at Whitworth on Thursday at 1 p.m. (3 p.m. Twin Cities time).
The national tournament bid is the culmination of a tremendous season for the Auggies, head coach Greg Holker and his staff. Reaching the MIAC playoffs for the second time in the last three years, and reaching the finals with a 3-0 semifinal win at Gustavus was incredible. Then, the finals at Carleton on Saturday ... the team played its heart out in freezing-cold weather, and despite not winning the penalty-kick shootout, it was still a classic game, and as a spectator there, I was definitely proud of the effort our team gave.
Seven years ago, the Augsburg men's soccer team was 4-11-2 ... now, the Auggies are 11-3-6, one of its best seasons since the glory days of the late 70s and early 80s, and now they're going to the national tournament for the first time in school history. What a team!
We have playoff information online for Thursday's game. Whitworth is planning to have live coverage of the game -- live statistics and probably live video. We'll keep you posted.
The Augsburg men's soccer team is playing in the MIAC playoff championship game this Saturday at 2 p.m. at Carleton College in Northfield, Minn. We are organizing a fan bus to make the trip down to Northfield in support of the Auggies.
Seats must be reserved and paid for in advance and will be on sale Thursday and Friday in the Christensen Center. Tickets are only $5. We need a minimum of 25 people signed up in order to reserve the fan bus. If we aren't able to get the minimum number of people, all money will be refunded. If you have any questions, please call the Athletic Department at 612-330-1249.
Our apologies for the lack of posts lately ... It's "crossover season," one of two times during the school year when sports seasons overlap. Winter sports are underway, and fall sports are slowly coming to and end. And for those of us who work in support roles (sports administration, athletic training, sports info), that basically means double the amount of work. We'll be back on a regular schedule of posts soon.
Hello and welcome to Edor Nelson Field for today's MIAC matchup between the Augsburg Auggies and the St. Thomas Tommies. It's a beautiful Saturday afternoon in Minneapolis and it's 20 minutes before game time. Stay tuned; we'll be live blogging all afternoon.
The Tommies will be kicking off. Everybody is up for the kickoff.
1:01 p.m. - Augsburg's Al-Hameed with a 19 yd return. The Auggies will start on the 35 yd line.
1:03 p.m. - On 3rd and short the Auggies saw something they didn't like and had to take a timeout.
1:04 p.m. - Jordan Berg on the keeper for the Auggie first down.
1:05 p.m. - The Auggies come out throwing -- pass completion to Winford for the first down. Augsburg runs for another first down. The Auggies continue the drive with a pass to Al-Hameed for the third Auggie first down of the drive.
1:08 p.m. - Augsburg's Christoperson to attempt the field goal -- no it's a fake. Christopherson attempts a pass over the middle -- it's intercepted by the Tommies who lateral and fumble -- St. Thomas recovers the fumble and takes over on their 8 yd line.
1:11 p.m. - After a penalty, it's going to be 3rd and 10 for St. Thomas on the 8 yd line. Another penalty against St. Thomas -- half the distance to the goal. 3rd and 14 on the 4 yd line. The Tommies have a good run up the middle, it's going to be close. Wait, there's a flag on the play -- holding St. Thomas -- the Auggies decline. It's going to be 4th and one. Fake punt -- the Tommies get a 19 yd run for a first down.
1:16 p.m. - St. Thomas continues their drive with another first down. It's now 1st and 10 on the UST 46 yd line.
1:19 p.m. - It's 3rd and 8 for the Tommies on their 48 yd line. After a short completion, the Auggies make a stop. 4th and 5 -- the tommies will punt. The Tommies have a long punt that bounces into the endzone. Auggies will take over on their 20 yd line.
1:22 p.m. - After a 9 yd pass to Mike Nourie, the Auggies have a 1 yd run for the first down.
1:24 p.m. - Berg to Winford for a short completion - the Auggies have another first down to their 46 yd line. On first down, Berg makes a nice completion to Al-Hameed as the Auggies cross mid-field for another first down.
1:27 p.m. - Berg attemps a deep pass to Nourie down the near sideline -- he makes the catch but is ruled out of bounds. The Auggies are are going for it on 4th and 4. Augsburg goes deep to Dan Brown -- TOUCHDOWN AUGGIES. There is some confusion about a penalty -- the ruling is touchdown Augsburg. Extra point is good. Augsburg takes a 7-0 lead. The drive was 10 plays, 80 yds, 4:24.
1:31 p.m. - St. Thomas has a nice kick return out to their 43 yd line. 1st and 10 St. Thomas.
1:32 p.m. - On first down, St. Thomas' Ben Wartman breaks a big run up the middle for a 57 yd touchdown run. The Tommies tie it up at 7-7.
1:34 p.m. - Auggies take over on their 30 yd line. On first down, St. Thomas comes up with a big interception and returns it down to the AUG 22 yd line.
END OF 1st QUARTER - Augsburg 7, St. Thomas 7
1:38 p.m. - After two defensive stands by the Auggies it will be 3rd and 14 for St. Thomas. The Tommies take a shot deep in the corner of the endzone and Augsburg's Royce Winford comes up with a big interception! Auggies will take over on their 20.
1:40 p.m. - Roby and Potts take back to back hand-offs for an Augsburg 1st down. 1st and 10 on the AUG 30. After two incompletions, the Auggies take a shot down the near sideline -- it's incomplete. Augsburg will be forced to punt.
1:43 p.m. - Augsburg punts and St. Thomas has a good return -- the Auggies forced a fumble but St. Thomas picked up the fumble and ran it in for a touchdown. Wait, flag on the play -- that one's coming back. It's going to be first down and 10 on the UST 38.
1:45 p.m. - The Augsburg defense comes up with 2 big stops. It's going to be 3rd and 11 for St. Thomas. The Tommies make a great pass completion down the near sideline for a 1st down. 1st and 10 on the AUG 39 yd line.
1:48 p.m. - On 3rd and 7, St. Thomas completes another pass for a Tommie first down. 1st and 10 on the AUG 28.
1:51 p.m. - 3rd and 10 for the Tommies -- Augsburg's Donovan Bates comes up with a big stop. 4th and 14 -- the tommeis are going for it. It's a completed pass but it's going to be short of the 1st down. Augsburg will take over on their 24 yd line.
1:53 p.m. - The Auggies come out passing -- Berg to Al-Hameed for a 30 yd completion! 1st down and 10 for the Auggies on the 45. The Auggies make another completion for a 1st down. 1st and 10 on the UST 32.
1:55 p.m. - Berg to Al-Hameed for a 12 yd completion. The Auggies are driving deep into Tommie territory.
1:58 p.m. - On third and 17, the Auggies take a timeout.
2 p.m. - On third down, the Auggies have an incomplete pass - intended for Al-Hameed. Augsburg is going for it. Another incomplete pass. St. Thomas will take over on their 27 yd line.
2:04 p.m. - After a completed pass the Tommies come up with another first down. St. Thomas has crossed mid-field. Augsburg's Tyler Judkins makes a great pass breakup. There is a flag on the play - it's against St. Thomas. The Auggies will decline. It's going to be 4th and one on the AUG 26.
2:07 p.m. - St. Thomas comes up with the 1st down. 1st and 10 on the AUG 10 yd line. After a short run, the Tommies take a timeout.
2:09 p.m. - A St. Thomas run is going to be close to a first down. Wait, flag on the play. Offsides Augsburg - that will make it 2nd and goal at the 4 yd line. After another short run, the Tommies call timeout.
2:11 p.m. - With :24 seconds left, the Augsburg secondary comes up with another pass breakup. That will make it 4th and goal on the 1 - the Tommies are going for it. AUGSBURG comes up with a HUGE goaline stop. The Auggies will take over on their one yd line. 10 seconds remaining. Berg on the keeper. The Auggies will run out the clock and head into the locker room with a 7-7 tie.
END OF THE FIRST HALF - Augsburg 7, St. Thomas 7. The Auggies had 182 yds of offense on 35 plays. Berg was 12-25 for 162 yds with 2 interceptions. St. Thomas had 237 yds of offense on 38 plays. St. Thomas was 7-12 for 59 yds with one interception.
During half time, Auggie fans were entertained by the cheer team, the dance team and the pep band. Augsburg also had a dedication ceremony for our brand new press box. Thanks to all of our donors for making the press box possible
2:35 p.m. - St. Thomas will be receiving to start the half. After a great return, the Tommies will have the ball on the AUG 40 yd line.
2:37 p.m. - After a short completion it will be 4th and 6 for St. Thomas. The Tommies will go for it. Augsburg comes up with the stop. Turnover on downs. Augsburg will have a 1st and 10 on their own 39 yd line.
2:40 p.m. - On first down, the Tommies are called for defensive pass interference. 1st down Auggies on the 49 yd line. Berg to Al-Hameed for a 12 yd completion. 1st down Auggies on the UST 27.
2:43 p.m. - It's going to be 3rd and 7 for the Auggies -- Berg is knocked down as he attemps the pass. 4th down -- The Auggies are going for it. Incomplete pass. Turnover on downs. St. Thomas will take over.
2:46 p.m. - St. Thomas takes a 57 yd run into the endzone for a touchdown. The extra point is good. The drive was 3 plays, 71 yds, 1:17. St. Thomas takes the lead at 14-7.
2:49 p.m. - Augsburg returns the kick out to the AUG 31.
2:51 p.m. - Winford makes a juggling catch over the middle for the Augsburg 1st down. The Auggies are on the 50 yd line with 8:20 left in the half. On first down, Berg is picked-off. St. Thomas will take over on its 46 yd line.
2:54 p.m. - After a short completion it will be 3rd and 6 for St. Thomas. 4th and one for the Tommies. On a run up the middle, St. Thomas has a 9 yd gain. 1st down Tommies on the AUG 24.
2:58 p.m. - On third down, Augsburg's Adam Ebert comes up with an interception. Augsburg will take over on their 36 yd line.
3 p.m. - After a stuffed run, an incompletion and a penalty the Auggies will have a 3rd and 15. Incomplete pass -- Augsburg will punt. St. Thomas returns the punt to midfield, 1st and 10 at the 50.
3:04 p.m. - 4th and 3 for the Tommies. They're going to punt. After a 35 yd punt, Augsburg will take over on their 8 yd line.
3:06 p.m. - After two completions to Winford, the Auggies have a first down. On first down, Potts has a nice run for another Auggie first down. 1st and 10 on the 27.
END OF THE 3RD QUARTER - St. Thomas 14, Augsburg 7. Augsburg has 250 yds of offense on 52 plays while the Tommies have 347 yds on 57 plays.
3:11 p.m. - Berg to Winford for a Auggie first down. It will be 1st and 10 on the AUG 43.
3:13 p.m. - Augsburg passes for another 1st down. The Auggies have a 3rd down and 2 on the 29 yd line. Berg to Winford for another Auggie 1st down. 1st and 10 on the UST 18 yd line.
3:16 p.m. - In a crazy play, Augsburg's Dan Brown comes up with the catch in the endzone for an Auggie TOUCHDOWN. The extra point is blocked. The drive was 13 plays, 92 yds. The score is now 14-13 St. Thomas.
3:18 p.m. - Augsburg goes for an onside kick - AUGGIES RECOVER! 1st and 10 on the AUG 41 yd line.
3:19 p.m. - Berg to Nourie for an Augsburg 1st down. 1st and 10 on the UST 48 yd line.
3:23 p.m. - Berg to Potts who has a nice run after the catch. 1st down Auggies on the UST 31.
3:24 p.m. - Berg to Winford for the 31 yd TOUCHDOWN! Penalty on the Auggies for excessive celebration. The penalty will be assessed on the extra point. Augsburg takes a timeout.
3:27 p.m. - The Auggies are going for the 2-pt conversion. No good. Auggies now lead the Tommies 19-14.
3:30 p.m. - After the Augsburg kick, St. Thomas will take over on their own 34 yd line. After two runs, St. Thomas has crossed mid-field and has a 1st and 10 on the AUG 46.
3:32 p.m. - St. Thomas - 3rd and 7 on the AUG 46 -- The Tommies run it up the middle for another 1st down. On first down, St. Thomas fumbles and the Auggies recover! 1st and 10 Augsburg on the AUG 37.
3:35 p.m. - Its going to be 4th and 3 for Augsburg on their 44 yd line. The Auggies will punt -- St. Thomas returns it out to the 29 yd line.
Sorry folks we lost internet there for a few minutes.
3:42 p.m. - St. Thomas has the ball, 2nd and 10 on the AUG 13. After a short run is 3rd and 4 on the 7 yd line. Augsburg takes a timeout.
3:44 p.m. - St. Thomas' Ben Wartman takes it in for the touchdown. The Tommies are going for the 2-point conversion - Winford intercepts it in the endzone -- 2-point conversion is no good. St. Thomas is up 20-19.
3:46 p.m. - Augsburg returns the St. Thomas kick out to the AUG 35 yd line. There is 1:50 remaining in the game.
3:47 p.m. - Berg to Winford for the Auggie 1st down. Gain of 19.
3:48 p.m. - Augsburg - 3rd and 3 on the 40 - Berg complete to Winford for the 1st down. 1st and 10 on the UST 34. The St. Thomas defense comes up with a big sack and forces the Auggies to take a timeout.
3:50 p.m. - Berg to Winford for another Auggie first down - gain of 19. 1st and 10 on the UST 22.
3:52 p.m. - Berg to Winford - gain of 14 - first down Augsburg!
3:53 p.m. - Berg to Winford - the Auggies are down to the one yd line! Timeout St. Thomas.
3:54 p.m. - Penalty - Offsides Augsburg. It will now be 2nd and 6.
3:55 p.m. - Augsburg has a short run. St. Thomas timeout. It's now 3rd and 5. The Auggies are attempting field goal - it's blocked by the Tommies. Auggies recover.
3:58 p.m. - The officials are meeting to discuss the situation.
3:58 p.m. - Auggie ball - Since Augsburg attempted a field goal on 3rd down, and recovered the field goal attempt, it's now 4th down and 16 for Augsburg. The Auggies will be attempting a 33 yd field goal. There is a short pause in the action while the St. Thomas coach talks to the officials.
4 p.m. - Augsburg is kicking a field goal -- IT'S GOOD! Auggies make a 34 yd field goal. That's a career long for Augsburg kicker Jack Christopherson. Augsburg takes a 22-20 lead with :12 seconds remaining.
4:03 p.m. - After a short line drive kick, St. Thomas will take over on their own 38 yd line. 11 seconds remaining. Incomplete pass. Timeout St. Thomas.
4:06 p.m. - It's another St. Thomas incomplete pass - that will end the game - AUGGIES WIN 22-20.
Final stats - Augsburg 444 yds on 79 plays. Berg was 34-58 passing for 403 yds. St. Thomas had 447 yds on 76 plays. The Tommies were 13-30 passing for 122 yds. St. Thomas had 325 yds rushing on 46 carries. The Auggies had 27 first downs in the game. With the win, Augsburg moves to 5-3 overall and 3-3 MIAC. The Tommies fall to 5-3 overall and 4-3 MIAC.
Going into the last week of the regular season, Augsburg's men's soccer team has moved into one of the most important rankings of all -- the NCAA Division III regional rankings. In the latest rankings released today, the Auggies are ranked No. 5 in the West Region. Carleton leads the West Region rankings, followed by Loras (Iowa), Redlands (Calif.), Whitworth (Wash.), Augsburg, St. Thomas and Chapman (Calif.).
The NCAA Division III national tournament is a 58-team field, with 38 Pool A bids (automatic qualifiers), four Pool B bids (teams from non-qualifying conferences or independent schools) and 16 Pool C bids (at-large bids). Should Augsburg win the MIAC playoff title next week, it would earn one of the Pool A bids; if not, it would be in contention for one of the 16 Pool C at-large bids.
MINNEAPOLIS (10/29/08) -- At 23 student-athletes strong, one of the largest recruiting and transfer classes in program history will take the mat for the Augsburg College wrestling team in 2008-09, head coach Mark Matzek has announced. Among them are six state champions and 16 state tournament placewinners, along with two transfers from Division I programs.
Full season preview for Augsburg wrestling will be online tomorrow. The Auggies open their season with the annual Alumni Day/Parents' Day/Open Practice on Saturday (11/1) at 4:30 p.m. at Si Melby Hall.
Travis Anderson (141, FY, White Bear Lake, Minn.) -- Two-time state tournament qualifier (Class AAA 145 in 2008, Class AAA 140 in 2007) and two-time All-Suburban East Conference competitor.
Brandon Bahr (174, FY, Bemidji, Minn.) -- Two-time state tournament placewinner (Class AAA 171 third place in 2008, Class AAA 160 fourth place in 2007), Guillotine Academic All-State second-team recipient in 2008, 88-36 high school record.
Brad Baus (184, FY, Mukwonago, Wis.) -- Two-time Wisconsin state tournament placewinner (Division I 189 sixth place in 2008, Division I 189 fifth place in 2007) and three-time state tournament qualifier, placed fourth in 189 junior folkstyle class at ASICS/USA Wrestling Folkstyle Nationals in 2007.
Nick Creamier (197, FY, Coon Rapids, Minn.) -- 2008 state tournament placewinner (Class AAA 189 fifth place), earned an honorable-mention spot in Wrestling USA's Top High School Juniors list at 285 in 2007, 70-25 high school record, also 2006 Cadet Greco-Roman All-American (eighth place at 215).
Alex Diaz (HWT, FY, Inver Grove Heights, Minn./Eagan HS) -- Two-time state tournament qualifier (Class AAA 275 in 2006 and 2007) and 2008 placewinner (Class AAA 275 fourth place in 2007).
Trevor Dyreson (141, FY, Deerfield, Wis.) -- Four-time Wisconsin state tournament qualifier and three-time state placewinner (Division 3 112 sixth place in 2006, Division 3 119 third place in 2007, Division 3 125 second place in 2008), finished 46-3 in 2007-08, three-time conference champion and two-time Trailways Conference South Division MVP, two-time regional champion and one-time sectional champion; three-time All-State Scholastic Wrestling first-team honoree.
Zach Enrico (165, FY, Minnetonka, Minn./Hopkins HS) -- 2007 state tournament entrant (Class AA 160), 97-55 career record.
Mitch Gerold (197, FY, Braham, Minn.) -- Two-time state tournament entrant (Class A 215 in 2008, Class A 189 in 2007), 113-41 career record, two-time all-conference and team MVP, also broke school's pin record (73), also a member of Augsburg's football team.
Minh Huynh (125, FY, Eagan, Minn./Eastview HS) -- Three-time state tournament qualifier (Class AAA 112 in 2006, Class AAA 103 in 2005 and 2004), placed 4th at Class AAA 103 in 2005.
Alex Johnson (133, FY, Foxhome, Minn./Breckenridge HS) -- 2008 state tournament placewinner (Class A 135 fifth place) and two-time state tournament qualifier (Class A 135 in 2008 and 2007), 116-55 career record, Guillotine Academic All-State honorable-mention in 2008.
Josh Kohler (174, FY, Monticello, Minn.) -- Two-time state tournament qualifier (Class AA 171 in 2008, Class AAA 171 in 2007), team MVP in both 2007 and 2008.
Justin Koob (141, FY, New Ulm, Minn.) -- Two-time state tournament qualifier (Class AA 112 in 2007, Class AA 103 in 2006), 110-44 career record, three-time all-conference wrestler.
Alex Krautkremer (184, FY, Jordan, Minn./Scott West-Jordan/Belle Plaine) -- 2007 state tournament qualifier (Class AA 189), also member of teams that placed third and sixth in state team tournament, also a member of Augsburg's football team.
Brett Landrum (157, SO, Plymouth, Minn./Wayzata HS) -- Transfer from Division I Nebraska (redshirted in 2007-08), two-time state tournament qualifier (Class AAA 160 in 2007, Class AAA 152 in 2006) and 2007 state tournament placewinner (Class AAA 160 third place), two-time section champion and four-time all-conference recipient.
Trenton Larrieu (165, FY, Spring Valley, Wis.) -- 2008 Wisconsin state champion (Division 3, 160), 2007 Wisconsin state tournament placewinner (Division 3, 160, fourth place), two-time section champion, one-time regional champion, 2008 USA Wrestling Folkstyle Nationals fourth place at Junior 160.
Nathan Lexvold (133, FY, Kenyon, Minn./Kenyon-Wanamingo HS) -- 2008 Minnesota state champion (Class A 135), three-time state tournament placewinner (Class A 103 second place in 2006, Class A 103 fifth place in 2005), 186-47 career record.
Jared Massey (197, JR, Circle Pines, Minn./Centennial HS) -- Transfer from Division I Wisconsin (competed in 2003-04 season, 5-2 record at 197), four-time state tournament qualifier (1999, 2001, 2002, 2003), two-time state champion (Class AAA 189 in 2003, Class AAA 171 in 2002), 48-0 in 2002-03 season, 49-1 in 2001-02 season, 175-23 record in high school career, including 110 career pins, 2003 Wrestling USA Magazine All-America team.
Jackson Mboma (174, FY, Maple Grove, Minn.) -- 2008 state tournament qualifier (Class AAA 171), all-conference wrestler in 2007-08, set single-season takedown record for Maple Grove (131), 33 wins in 2007-08.
Joe Meyer (165, FY, Lakeville, Minn./St. Thomas Academy HS) -- Two-year varsity letterwinner, section medalist in 2007-08.
Josh Roberts (133, FY, Grand Forks, N.D./Central HS) -- 2007 North Dakota Class A state tournament champion (130), four-time North Dakota state tournament placewinner (Class A 130 third place in 2008, Class A 125 second place in 2006, Class A 119 fourth place in 2005), honorable-mention on USA Wrestling Top 30 Juniors list for 130 in 2007, Greco-Roman All-American in 2005 (sixth place at USA Wrestling Cadet Greco-Roman Championships).
Torey Stewart (141, FY, Jackson, Minn./Jackson County Central HS) -- Two-time state tournament champion (Class A 145 in 2008, Class AA 130 in 2006), two-time state tournament runner-up (Class AA 135 in 2007, Class AA 119 in 2005), No. 9 on Amateur Wrestling News Senior All-American list at 145 in 2008, ranked No. 9 in 145 on Wrestling USA Magazine list of 2008 Best High School Seniors and No. 15 in 145 on Wrestling USA list of 2008 Best High School All-Class Wrestlers, listed in "151-200" section of Intermat Top 200 Recruits listing for 2008, 198-23 high school career record, 2007 USA Wrestling All-American in Junior Freestyle National Championships (fourth place at 145).
Ben Thone (141, FY, Fond du Lac, Wis.) -- 2008 Wisconsin state tournament runner-up (Division 1 135), two-time Wisconsin state tournament placewinner (Division I 135 sixth place in 2007), three-time Wisconsin state tournament qualifier (2006, 2007, 2008, all Division I 135), three-time regional champion, two-time sectional champion, 142-34 high school record.
Tony Valek (141, FY, Belle Plaine, Minn./Scott West-Jordan/Belle Plaine) -- 2007 state tournament champion (Class AA 135), two-time state tournament placewinner (Class AA 125 third place in 2006), three-time state tournament qualifier (also Class AA 112 in 2005), ranked No. 18 in Wrestling USA Magazine list of 2007 Nation's Best High School Juniors at 135, listed in "151-200" section of Intermat Top 200 Recruits listing for 2008, Guillotine Academic All-State third team in 2008, USA Wrestling Junior Freestyle All-American (seventh place at 140 in 2008).
There's a great feature on Augsburg women's soccer goalkeeper Maggie DeGroot on the College Sporting News website (click here to read it). The feature is written by Rich Mies, as part of his MIAC Profiles of Excellence series, where he profiles outstanding senior student-athletes from MIAC schools.
Here's a great quote from Maggie about being at Augsburg:
“At Augsburg, you are very free to be yourself,” she said. “I’ve always felt welcome for being me. I love Minneapolis and being in the city, and I enjoy being involved in the community. I’ve gotten a great education, which has challenged me, too. I will come out a much more critical thinker. The Liberal Arts education here has helped make me who I am. My major is for my career, but the Liberal Arts education is for who I am.”
Maggie has been a huge part of Augsburg's success, as the team is aiming for its fifth straight berth in the MIAC's postseason playoffs. Tonight, the Auggies have a crucial game against Carleton (7:30 p.m. at Edor Nelson Field).
This Wednesday (10/8), the Augsburg College volleyball team will be hosting a "Dig Pink" event to promote breast cancer awareness. Dig Pink is a National Breast Cancer awareness rally that is taking place throughout the month of October. Student-athletes, coaches, administrators, fans and officials from across the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) and the nation are all teaming up to fight this common battle.
The Augsburg volleyball team is asking all fans to come and support the event by wearing pink to Wednesday night's game at 7 p.m. at Si Melby Hall. All proceeds from the event will be donated to local and national Breast Cancer foundations to raise awareness, educate women and aid research that will hopefully result in a cure. We hope to see you all there!
Welcome to Edor Nelson field for today's MIAC matchup. It's two minutes before game time on a bright sunny Saturday afternoon in Minneapolis. The captains are walking out for the coin flip and the world famous "bunch of guys chorus" is about to sing the anthem.
Concordia will be receiving.
1:02 p.m. - The Cobbers take over at their 20 yd line. On third down the Cobbers complete a 11 yd pass for a first down.
1:06 p.m. - Concordia completes a 67 yd pass play for a touchdown. Extra point is good. The drive was 6 plays 80 yds - 3 minutes and 12 seconds. Cobbers take the 7-0 lead.
1:08 p.m. - After a short kick, the Auggies will take over on their own 41 yd line. After a short completion to Winford, and a run for no gain, the Auggies complete a 6 yd pass to Potts for the first down.
1:11 p.m. - Potts makes a great run on the draw play for the first down. It's now Augsburg ball on the CON 37 yd line. The Auggies fumble on a short pass play but are able to recover. 3rd down and 3 on the CON 33. Concordia breaks up the Augsburg pass. Auggies are going for it on 4th down. Winford makes a great catch -- Augsburg 1st down on the 15.
1:16 p.m. - Berg to Al-Hameed for a 14 yd gain. Augsburg is going to be short of the first down. The Auggies are going to attempt a field goal -- it's good. The drive was 12 plays 52 yds - 5 minutes and 32 seconds. Concordia leads Augsburg 7-3.
1:18 p.m. - Concordia will take over on their 37 yd line. On first down, the Cobbers complete another big pass up the middle. It's a 59 yd pass completion. They'll take over on the AUG 4 yd line.
1:20 p.m. - Concordia is in for the touchdown. Extra point is wide right. Cobbers lead 13-3.
1:22 p.m. - A 15 yd return for the Auggies. Augsburg ball on the 36 yd line. Augsburg's Jason Potts makes a nice 14 yd run for the 1st down. Augsburg ball on the 49 yd line. Berg to Winford for another Augsburg 1st down.
1:25 p.m. - The Auggies complete another 1st down pass to Al-Hameed. Augsburg ball on the CON 25 yd line. Jordan Berg with a 26 yd pass completion to Mike Nourie -- TOUCHDOWN AUGGIES! Extra point is good. Score is Concordia 13, Augsburg 10.
1:28 p.m. - Concordia will take over on their own 32 yd line. Concordia's Jesse Nelson, scampers for another Cobber 1st down. Nelson completes the pass to Goraczkowski for a first down. Cobber ball on the AUG 38 yd line.
That will end the 1st quarter -- Concordia 13, Augsburg 10. For the first quarter, the Auggies had 116 yds on 17 plays, while Concordia had 184 yds on 15 plays.
Concordia will take over on the AUG 27 yd line.
1:36 p.m. - After a nice completion over the middle, the Cobbers run it in for the touchdown. Extra point is good. Cobbers take a 20-10 lead. The drive was 9 plays, 68 yards - 2 minutes and 46 seconds.
1:37 p.m. - Augsburg's David Tilton has a 16 yd return on the kickoff. The Auggies will take over on their 32 yd line. On first down, the Auggies took a great shot down the field but the Concordia corner made a great defensive play. The Auggies are forced to punt.
1:40 p.m. - Concordia will take over on their own 47 yd line. On first down, Nelson to Krause for a 20 yd completion. Concordia's Jesse Nelson on the keeper up the middle for the touchdown. Extra point is good. The drive was 2 plays, 53 yds. Concordia takes a 27-10 lead with 12:50 left in the half.
1:44 p.m. - Augsburg will take over on their own 27 yd line. On first down, Berg to Potts for the completion. Flag on the play -- holding Augsburg. That will make it 1st down and 20 on the AUG 17.
1:46 p.m. - Berg attempts to lateral and the Auggies lose the ball. Concordia's Tom Flynn recovers the fumble in the endzone. Touchdown Cobbers. Extra point is good. Concordia leads Augsburg 34-10. 11:36 left in the half.
1:49 p.m. - The Concordia kickoff is returned by Augsburg's David Tilton to the AUG 28 yd line. After a short completion, it will be 3rd and 6 for the Auggies. An Augsburg completion is very close to a first down.....1st down Auggies on the 38 yd line.
1:53 p.m. - On 3rd and 7, the Concordia defense holds and forces the Auggies to punt. It's a fake punt for the Auggies -- 1st down! Wait, flag on the play...the officials are discussing the situation. The penalty is illegal touching -- that will be a loss of down. Concordia will take over on the 41 yd line.
1:58 p.m. - Concordia's Cory Johnson runs for the 1st down. Cobber ball on the AUG 26. Nelson on the keeper, gain of 7. 3rd down and 3 on the AUG 19 yd line. The Auggie defense holds. 4th and 2. The Cobbers let the play clock run down and take a timeout with 6:03 remaining.
2:04 p.m. - Concordia with the quarterback keeper for the 1st down. The Auggie defense holds. The Cobbers will have to attempt the field goal. Numerous flags on the play -- false start. The Cobbers will convert a 30 yd field goal. Concordia takes a 37-10 lead with 3:31 remaining.
2:07 p.m. - 21 yd return for Augsburg's David Tilton. The Auggies take over on their own 31 yd line.
2:10 p.m. - It will be 3rd down and 10 for the Auggies on the 42 yd line. Berg throws it out of bounds and a Concordia Assistant coach makes a nice grab. The Auggies will have to punt. Concordia will take over on their own 37 yd line.
2:12 p.m. - Concordia's Cory Johnson make a big run up the middle. On first down the Auggies batted the ball in the air and intercepted by Augsburg's Josh Collins who ran it out to the 49 yd line.
2:14 p.m. - Berg to Winford for a gain of 11. Augsburg ball on the CON 38. Offsides on Concordia. 2nd and 5. Berg to Potts on a swing pass. Augsburg will take a timeout with :37 seconds remaining.
2:18 p.m. - 4th down and 8 for the Auggies. Concordia's Tom Flynn does a nice job breaking up the pass. The Cobbers will take over on downs, they will take over on their own 36 yd line. Concordia's Jesse Nelson takes a knee to end the half.
HALF TIME Score: Concordia 37 - Augsburg 10.
2:40 p.m. - Augsburg will receive the ball to start the second half. Augsburg's Koby Lursen returns the kick out to the AUG 34. A nice block by the Auggie O-Line opens a whole for Potts to run for the first down.
2:43 p.m. - On second down, the Concordia defense comes up with a sack for a loss of 10. Berg to Winford for a gain of 9 on the play. 3rd and 13 for the Auggies. Concordia again comes up with a big sack. Augsburg will be forced to punt. Concordia will take over on the 32 yd line.
2:46 p.m. - Concordia will pick up the first down. 1st and 10 on the 42. Jesse Nelson with another completion for the 1st down. Cobbers are driving.
2:48 p.m. - The AUGGIES recover a fumble! Augsburg will take over on their own 29 yd line.
2:50 p.m. - Augsburg's Jordan Berg picks up a few but the Auggies are going to be forced to punt. Concordia's Paul Shol returns the punt to the Augsburg 38 yd line.
2:54 p.m. - The Cobbers are forced to take a timeout due to a confusion about the number of men on the field. Concordia will have a 3rd and 9. The Cobbers take a shot deep down the field. Flag on the play - defensive pass interference on the Auggies. Concordia ball on the 23 yd line.
2:57 p.m. - It will be 4th and 3 for the Cobbers. Concordia will attempt a 33 yd field goal -- it's good. Concordia takes a 40-10 lead. The drive was 6 plays 22 yds, 2 minutes and 52 seconds.
2:59 p.m. - Augsburg will return the ball out to their 35 yd line. The Auggies will take over with 4:34 left in the quarter. Berg to Al-Hameed for the first down.
3:03 p.m. - Augsburg will have a 3rd and 5 at midfield. Concordia makes a nice pass break-up which will force the Auggies to punt. The Cobbers will take over at the 21 yd line.
3:05 p.m. - Concordia is forced to punt. Augsburg will take over on their 34 yd line.
3:08 p.m. - Berg completes a pass to Nourie for a gain of 7 yds. The Auggies will come up with another first down as they are nearing mid-field. That will end the quarter.
END OF THIRD QUARTER - Concordia 40, Augsburg 10. The Cobbers have 378 yds on 45 plays while the Auggies have 177 yds on 58 plays. Concordia's Jesse Nelson is 8-13 passing for 217 yds while Augsburg's Jordan Berg is 24-46 for 182 yds.
3:12 p.m. - Berg to Al-Hameed for the first down. 1st and 10 on the CON 26 yd line.
3:15 p.m. - It will be 4th and one for the Auggies on the 6 yd line. Berg attemps a pass to Winford in the endzone but it's incomplete. Concordia will take over on downs on their 6 yd line.
3:19 p.m. - The Cobbers are are going to be forced to punt. There is a flag on the play -- offsides Auggies. It will now be 4th and one. Concordia will punt again. The punt goes out of bounds at the AUG 37.
3:22 p.m. - Berg to Al-Hameed for a gain of 5 -- personal foul on the Cobbers -- 15 yd penalty. Augsburg will have a 1st and 10 on the CON 30.
3:25 p.m. - 3rd down and 10 for the Auggies. Flag on the play -- holding on the Auggies, that will make it 3rd and 20. Augsburg is going to go for it on 4th and 20. Berg to Winford in the endzone TOUCHDOWN AUGGIES! Augsburg is going for the 2-point conversion. The pass is good to Nourie. Score is 40-18 Concordia.
3:29 p.m. - Augsburg's Garrett Adamson recovers the onside kick! Auggie ball on their 43.
3:32 p.m. - 3rd down and 10 for Augsburg -- Concordia nearly intercepts the Augsburg pass. The Auggies are going to go for it on 4th down. Incomplete pass. Concordia will take over on downs. 1st and 10 for the Cobbers on the AUG 43.
3:35 p.m. - An Augsburg offsides penalty will give the Cobbers a 1st down on the 33 yd line. Just under 5 minutes remaining in the game.
3:38 p.m. - The Cobbers are continuing to pound the ball and run time off the clock. It will be 3rd and one on the 11 yd line. Augsburg's Edmond Smith stops the ball carrier for a loss of 2. 4th and 3, the Cobbers are going for it -- Cobbers fumble, recovered by Augsburg.
3:42 p.m. - Augsburg takes over on their own 13 yd line. There is only 30 seconds remaining in the game.
3:44 p.m. - The Auggies attempt a running play up the middle -- that will end the game. Concordia takes a 40-18 win over the Auggies. With the win the Cobbers move to 4-2 overall (3-1 MIAC) while the Auggies fall to 4-2 overall (2-2 MIAC).
Final Summary - Augsburg (Rushing - 11 yards on 17 carries; Passing - 263 yards on 30 of 63 passing); Concordia (Rushing - 200 yards on 46 carries; Passing - 217 yards on 8 for 13 passing). Time of possession was in favor of the Cobbers (31:46).
This weekend's events (men's soccer tonight and tomorrow, football tomorrow, women's soccer on Sunday) will mark the premiere of the new press box at Augsburg's Edor Nelson Field. Now, I know that this post might interest about two or three people around here ("Nobody cares how sausages are made, they just want to eat the hot dog."), but it's important to those of us whose job is to bring you the best possible coverage of Auggie sports.
For the first time in my 12 years of working at Augsburg, we finally have a press box with windows that open! 
Our old press box (version 2.0 in the history of Edor Nelson Field) was fondly dubbed the "Easy Bake Oven" by yours truly ... the windows didn't open (which is always fun when you're trying to hear an official's whistle) and with our south-facing alignment at 1 p.m. on a football gameday, it was a little warm inside the press box on most occasions.
That press box was torn down in 2006 to make way for the new Kennedy Center addition to Si Melby Hall, and we were without a separate press box for parts of three seasons. We used the Kennedy Center third-floor rooms overlooking the field as our temporary digs -- dubbed the "Don Stoner Memorial Press Box" by yours truly -- but were still without being able to hear sound from the field.
Now, we have a new two-level press box that will enable us to work well during our football and soccer games on the field. Another big benefit is that the Kennedy Center third-floor rooms will be able to be used as great gathering places for the A-Club and other groups during events on the field.
On behalf of everyone who uses the press box, I would like to heartily thank all the donors who made this possible. You are a great group of people and this new facility is greatly appreciated! We will formally dedicate the press box during the Nov. 1 football game against St. Thomas.
Courtesy of Augsburg junior women's soccer player Whitney Holman:
My name is Whitney Holman. I’m a junior at Augsburg College. I am majoring in Psychology and Religion. On the field, I am a left defender for the Augsburg women’s soccer team. Our 2008 season is well underway and we are currently 8-2-3 overall as well as 4-0-3 in MIAC play. The team is currently ranked third in the MIAC; however, the top two teams have played two more games than we have. The team is strong and continues to play with a lot of heart.
One unique aspect of our program is the group of people that it consists of. Our team, along with our coaches is a great example of hardworking, driven individuals mixed with a lighter side that knows how to have fun and while still getting the job done. Laughing, dancing, making up lyrics to original songs, basketballs, pumpkins and eating candy are just a few examples that can summarize our program in a nutshell. The chemistry of our team is a strong aspect of the Augsburg women’s soccer program. e recognize that we truly train and play for and with each other, which is exactly why it makes it so enjoyable and successful.
Augsburg women's golf head coach Laura Patrick talks about the team's fall half of the 2008-09 season, and how she defines success with the Auggies.
Success can be defined by many people ... you, your coach, your family, your friends, your opponents, and the media. It can also be defined in many ways ... winning, stats, scores, personal achievements, becoming a better person, etc. Overall, I believe that success should be defined by the ways each of us improve from day to day.
Looking at the finishes our team had this fall, many would say that our season was not successful. The only people who would believe that are those who look at the program from the outside without really knowing the accomplishments we have achieved in becoming better golfers, better people, and a better team.
When I took this job as the women's golf coach at Augsburg, my mission was to help each student-athlete become the best golfer, student, and person they could possibly be. It is those steps towards maximizing each person's potential that I define as success. With that said, I believe that our team had a very successful season. Looking back, there have been many achievements on our team that will lead to continued improvement in life and golf; and isn't that what it's all about anyway?
Many of our achievements have come in the following forms:
Scoring/Skill Improvement
- The team scoring average is currently 6.6 strokes better than last season’s scoring average.
- Three out of four returning players had improved scoring averages.
- Three out of four returning players shot their collegiate career-low round this fall -- some beat last years low round multiple times.
- Each player has experienced skill improvement throughout the season -- learning to get out of the bunker in one instead of two shots, mastering the chip shot, an improved putting stroke, hitting more greens/fairways, etc.
Team Commitment
- Those struggling with illness/injuries worked very hard with the training staff to improve their condition and/or work through the pain in order to continue to contribute to the team.
- We have learned to work together as a team to create strong bonds in a predominately individual sport.
- We support teammates when they need encouragement and understanding.
- We are truly a golf team that other schools enjoy playing with. Coaches, players, and the families from other teams enjoy being paired with Auggies. This speaks very highly of our players and their families!
Personal Improvement
- Each team member is better at dealing with things outside of her control (weather, bad bounces, etc.). Note: I didn’t hear one person complain when we played in cold rain for two days at the Division III Midwest Classic.
- We have improved at managing our own expectations (and our perception of other people's expectations) on the course in order to focus on what is important at that point in time.
- We have learned that when it all comes together and we have a great round, that it is a lot of fun; but when things don't go well, we know that everything will still be OK. Our golf score does NOT determine our self worth -- coaches, teammates, families, and friends will not like/love you any less if you have a bad day. This, in turn, has helped to reduce anxiety and to improve our focus on the shot at hand.
- Each player has improved their time and energy management so that practices are more productive and adequate time is left over to maintain a high level of academic excellence, while also balancing all of the other opportunities that Augsburg has to offer.
All of the items listed above I view as successes. A culmination of those successes has led to career rounds of golf, lower scoring averages, and having more fun! I truly believe that these successes, while not often seen, are the building blocks for future successes that will catch the attention of those who are not so familiar with our program. We may not always remember the shots we hit or the scores we carded, but we will remember the great memories we have made and how we overcame adversity (on and off the golf course). Achieving these successes in the face of adversity is the greatest lesson that we can pass on to others in times of need.
With that being said, we will continue our approach of taking one day at a time, trying to be the best we can be that day, and see how it all turns out (knowing that we have a great support system if things don’t go as planned). That in itself is the definition of being an Auggie.
I am proud of each student that participates on our team. Their contributions, determination, sacrifices, and love for the sport and the college have all shown through in a manner that I wish more people could witness.
