Men's soccer ranked in NCAA regional poll

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.

Huge incoming class for Augsburg wrestling

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).

Live stuff this weekend

Lots of live coverage of Auggie sports online this weekend ...

Tonight, the Auggie volleyball team goes for its sixth win in its last seven matches with a conference match at St. Mary's in Winona. Action starts at 7 p.m. St. Mary's will have live audio (click here) and live stats (click here) of tonight's match. Click here for St. Mary's gameday for the match.

On Saturday, the Auggie football team will be on the road at Gustavus for an important MIAC contest. Action starts at 1 p.m. Augsburg will have live audio with Tom Witschen and Chris Tubbs (click here) and Gustavus will have live video (click here) and live stats (click here). Here's a hint for your best Auggie fan enjoyment ... Click on the Gustavus live video to watch, but mute the sound on the QuickTime window. Then click on the Augsburg audio link and make sure that window is active. That way, you can watch the video and still listen to Tom and Chris with the Augsburg call!

Also on Saturday, the Augsburg women's soccer team has a huge game against St. Benedict at 1 p.m. at Edor Nelson Field, as both teams are in the hunt for a berth in the MIAC postseason playoffs. We'll have live stats online (click here).

Maggie DeGroot feature on CSN

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).

Dig Pink Night

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!

Augsburg vs Concordia - Live Football Blog

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).

New press box

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.

Women's soccer update

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.

Defining success

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.

Bring your extra shoes tonight!

Take a look in your closet. Dig deep. See any shoes that you no longer wear? Dig them out and bring them to Si Melby Hall tonight at the Augsburg-St. Olaf volleyball match (7 p.m. on Wednesday).

The Auggies are hosting "American Soles for Brazilian Souls" night, and if you bring a pair of used tennis shoes to the match to donate to the cause, you get into the match for free (yes, Augsburg students, faculty and staff already get in free with ID, but bring some shoes anyway!).

You can read more about the shoe collection effort here. The shoes are going to be sent to underprivileged children in Brazil, many of the same children helped by our players during a clinic that the Augsburg volleyball team held on their trip to Brazil in May.

Way to go, men's soccer!

How 'bout the Auggie men's soccer team's win at Carleton on Saturday! Consider how big the Auggies' 1-0 victory at Carleton was ... Carleton was ranked No. 8 in the NSCAA Division III national rankings, the Knights had a 28-game regular-season unbeaten streak (24-0-4) and a 21-game conference regular-season unbeaten streak (18-0-3) since 2006. Carleton had a 15-game home unbeaten streak in conference play, and had not lost to an MIAC foe at home since 2005.

Click on this link to watch David Scheller's goal ... it's a thing of beauty. Two headers and the ball reaches Scheller at the top of the box, he smacks it out of the air at waist level and it rises past the Carleton goalkeeper and into the net. It's one of the best Augsburg soccer goals I've ever seen. Incredible!

Augsburg's in the thick of a very interesting race in the MIAC, currently standing in third place with 10 league points (5-2-0 MIAC, 7-2-3 overall) and three conference games remaining. There are six teams with eight league points or more going into the final three weeks of the conference season, all vying for a berth in the four-team conference playoffs.

The Auggies have a challenging week ahead, with three games in a five-day span, starting on Tuesday at 4 p.m. with a nonconference game at St. Scholastica in Duluth. The 11-3 Saints lead the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference and have won their last eight straight games, including a 3-0 win over Macalester back on Oct. 1. St. Scholastica will have live stats online for Tuesday's game (click here).

Don't Stop Believing ...

... Yes, the Auggie football team lost on Saturday, 49-41 in an classic shootout at Carleton. It was a wild game; the teams combined for more than 1,000 yards of total offense, 90 points, and more wild and wacky plays than should be expected in a football game. As coach Frank Haege noted when we talked this morning, how many times in a SEASON, much less ONE GAME, would you see a successful "Hail Mary" pass, a successful onside kick AND a punt blocked for touchdown?

Time to look at the positives (or in the immortal words of former Journey lead singer Steve Perry -- pictured at right -- "Don't Stop Believing"):

1. The Auggie offense is clicking on all cylinders. 564 yards of total offense on Saturday, 508 through the air ... This season, Augsburg is averaging 434.4 yards of total offense per game, an average of 5.9 yards per-play. Both quarterback Jordan Berg and wide receiver Royce Winford are having potential conference MVP seasons. Augsburg's offensive line has allowed just 11 sacks this season. Wide receivers Muneer Al-Hameed, Mike Nourie and Dan Brown are having solid seasons. Running back Jason Potts is a true multiple threat, both as a rusher and a receiver. And David Tilton and LeRoy Roby are giving the Auggies a lot of options in the running back position.

2. The defense is improving. The 49 points given up against Carleton may have been an abberation, considering the first four games of the season up to that point. On the year, the Auggies are giving up just 25.8 points per-game and 298.2 yards of total offense per game. Compare that to the 38.4 points and 476.0 yards of total offense surrendered by the defense last season.

3. The MIAC is wide open this year. Carleton, a team that was 3-7 last year and picked in this year's preseason coaches poll to finish eighth, is 5-0 and atop the MIAC standings. Eight of the nine MIAC football squads have at least three overall wins. Six teams are 2-2 or better in MIAC play. This race is by no means over. Heck, we're just at the halfway point of the season!

4. There's a lot of meaningful football yet to be played. For Augsburg, it starts this Saturday with a huge game against Concordia-Moorhead (Saturday, 1 p.m., Edor Nelson Field. BE THERE!). Augsburg still has big games against Gustavus, St. Thomas, St. John's and Bethel left on the schedule. Carleton still has to play Gustavus, St. Thomas, Hamline, Concordia and St. John's. St. Thomas has to play St. John's, Carleton, Augsburg and Bethel in league play. And Concordia has Augsburg, Hamline, St. Olaf, Carleton and Gustavus left on the schedule. No game will be a "gimmie" for any of those teams.

So don't get off the Auggie bandwagon. Show up and wear your Maroon and Gray proudly this Saturday for the Auggie-Concordia battle. This season is still going to be fun, fun, fun!

Fan bus for Saturday's Augsburg-at-Carleton game

Augsburg students have organized a fan bus to go to Northfield on Saturday for the Augsburg-at-Carleton football game (and, if soccer fans want to ride along, the Augsburg-at-Carleton men's soccer game taking place at the same time in Northfield).

If you'd like to ride on the Auggie fan bus, contact the Augsburg athletic department at 612-330-1249. The bus will pick up Auggie fans in front of the Kennedy Center/Si Melby Hall main entrance at 11:30 a.m.

Women's soccer ranked regionally

Another sign of the successful fall season for Augsburg sports ...

The Auggie women's soccer team moved into the National Soccer Coaches Association of America Central Region rankings for the first time, listed at No. 9 in the weekly poll this week. Augsburg is one of two MIAC schools in the regional rankings; St. Thomas is ranked No. 5.

Augsburg is 8-1-3 on the season and 4-0-3 in MIAC play, after Tuesday's 2-1 win over Gustavus. Augsburg is unbeaten in its last eight games (5-0-3), and hosts Loras (Iowa) in a nonconference clash on Friday at 7 p.m. at Edor Nelson Field.

Men's soccer ranked regionally

Augsburg's men's soccer team moved up a spot in the National Soccer Coaches Association of America's West Region rankings, up from No. 8 to No. 7 after its 5-0 win over St. Mary's on Saturday.

This week, the Auggies have two incredibly important MIAC games, facing Gustavus on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. at Edor Nelson Field, and Carleton on Saturday at 1 p.m. in Northfield. The Gusties are ranked No. 6 in the region, and Carleton is ranked No. 1 in the region and No. 8 in the latest national rankings by the NSCAA.

For Wednesday's home game against the Gusties, coach Greg Holker wants to see the "Crowd Control" fan support that has given the team a distinct home-field advantage. He said this after the win over the Cardinals this past Saturday: "Now we have to lock down, take care of our injuries, and prepare for our next game against Gustavus. We had a healthy crowd tonight, but hope we get some more students to chime and make a difference in an important conference clash on Wednesday night."

Augsburg's in the top 25!

For the first time since 1998, the Augsburg football team (4-0 for the first time since 1973!) has cracked the top 25 of the major Division III football national polls. In this week's D3Football.com Top 25 poll, Augsburg is the highest-ranked MIAC team at No. 22. Concordia-Moorhead is ranked No. 23, and both St. John's and Carleton (this Saturday's opponent for the Auggies in a battle of 4-0 teams in Northfield) are in the "Others Receiving Votes" category.

In the other major Division III poll, from the American Football Coaches Association, Augsburg is ranked No. 23 and is the only MIAC team in the top 25. Concordia, Carleton, St. John's and Bethel are all in the "Others Receiving Votes" category.

Winning ... it's fun!

"I love winning ... It's like, you know, better than losing!" -- Ebby Calvin "Nuke" LaLoosh, "Bull Durham"

As I look out the window of my office on a beautiful fall morning, I see our students going back and forth on their busy days, going to the chapel, coming over to Melby and Kennedy to work out. And I'm seeing a lot of smiles on people's faces, especially our student-athletes. Winning can have that kind of effect on a person.

Right now, all four of our fall "team" sports at Augsburg have winning records -- football is 3-0, volleyball is 10-8, men's soccer is 5-1-3 and women's soccer is 6-1-3. (Plus, the four fall "individual" sports -- men's and women's golf and men's and women's cross country -- are all showing strong improvement as their conference meets approach).

How rare is that feat? Well, since women's soccer started in 1985, having all four fall team sports finish with .500-or-above records has NEVER happened at Augsburg. In fact, since 1985, even having three of the fall team sports finish at .500-or-above has happened just once -- last year, when football finished 5-5, men's soccer finished 9-9-0 and women's soccer finished 9-7-3. And since volleyball started varsity play in 1973, the football, men's soccer and volleyball teams all achieved the .500-or-better trifecta just three times (1973, 1974 and 1980).

In my 12 years here at Augsburg, I've seen a slow and steady change in attitudes around here regarding athletic success. Teams are starting to win, our student-athletes are succeeding in both the playing field and the classroom, and the general attitude has become much more positive. Sure, we're not curing cancer or solving the economic crisis, but having athletic teams that are showing success brings a special kind of pride to the entire campus (and not to give short shrift to our other extracurricular activities, either. Our music, theatre and fine arts programs have always been outstanding). We talk a lot about the "Augsburg Community" around here, and we are like a small town in the middle of the big city. We care about what our students do, and celebrate their victories and mourn their losses.

It's fun to walk around campus and have faculty, staff and others stop me and want to chat about sports. "Say, the football team is doing great." "The women's soccer team is really playing well," and so on and so on. Hopefully, we'll get to keep celebrating as the fall goes along.

Football notebook

Some notes to wet your football appetite while anticipating Saturday's Augsburg-at-Hamline game -- aka, the game for "The Hammer":

-- Augsburg is 3-0 for the first time since the 1999 season, and has a chance to go 4-0 for the first time since 1973 when it faces Hamline this Saturday in St. Paul. The Auggies started out 5-0 back in 1973, en route to a 7-2 record.

-- After starting his Augsburg career 3-21, Augsburg head coach Frank Haege has won 7 of his last 9 games, including two wins over nationally-ranked Wartburg (Iowa) and a 49-21 win over St. Olaf last Saturday (last year, the Oles beat the Auggies 70-31).

-- Augsburg was 4-26 from 2004-06, before finishing 5-5 last season. Augsburg's last winning season was a 6-4 campaign in 1999.

-- Saturday's game against Hamline is the fourth in the battle for "The Hammer," the trophy that goes to the winner of the Hamline-Augsburg game. The trophy was started in coach Frank Haege's first season as Augsburg's head coach in 2005.

-- Augsburg has won the last five games in a row over Hamline and 12 of the last 14 games in the all-time series with the Pipers.

-- As a team, Augsburg currently ranks eighth nationally among NCAA Division III teams in passing offense (328.0 yards per-game), and Augsburg's 422.67 yards of total offense per-game ranks 27th-best in Division III. Augsburg's 42.67 points-per-game so far this season ranks seventh-best in Division III, and its plus-1.67 turnover ratio (10 gained, five lost) is 25th-best in Division III. Augsburg's 248.67 yards allowed per-game on defense is 29th-best in Division III.

-- Augsburg quarterback Jordan Berg (SR, Gaylord, Minn./Sibley East HS) was named to the D3Football.com Team of the Week on Tuesday for his efforts in Augsburg's 49-21 victory over St. Olaf on Saturday. Berg completed 37-of-53 passing for 397 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions, leading the Auggie offense to touchdowns on their first five drives to build a 35-14 halftime lead, en route to the dominating victory.

The 397-yard effort was the ninth of his career (23 games), and improved his career stats to 594 completions, 998 attempts, 6,507 yards and 56 passing touchdowns. Berg already holds school records for career completions and touchdowns, and has a chance to break the attempt and yardage records in next Saturday's (10/4) game at Hamline. He is just 24 passing attempts away from the school record of 1,022, and just 117 yards away from the passing yardage record of 6,624, both held by Derrin Lamker (1993-97).

On the season, Berg has completed 95-of-147 passes for 956 yards with nine touchdowns and just two interceptions. In the latest NCAA Division III national statistics, Berg ranks first nationally in pass completions per-game (31.67), ninth in passing yardage per-game (318.67), 20th in total passing yardage (956) and eighth in total offense per-game (321.3). His 95 completions are seventh-highest among Division III quarterbacks, and his two interceptions are the second-fewest among the 22 Division III quarterbacks who average 22 or more completions per-game.

-- Augsburg wide receiver Royce Winford (SR, Brooklyn Park, Minn./Osseo HS) was named to the D3Football.com Team of the Week on Sept. 17, after his two-touchdown effort in Augsburg’s 30-24, two-overtime win over Wartburg (Iowa) on Sept. 13. Winford caught 13 passes for 116 yards -- the 12th 100-yard receiving game of his career and ninth in his last 13 starts -- in Augsburg’s win over St. Olaf. Also a cornerback on defense (a rare two-way player in college football), Winford collected a first-quarter interception for the Auggies, his second interception of the season.

Winford is just one catch away from moving into second place in Augsburg's career receptions list. He now has 185 catches for 2,454 yards and 31 touchdowns in his career. Scott Hvistendahl (1995-98) holds every receiving career record -- 285 receptions for 4,696 yards and 40 touchdowns -- and Andrew Neumann (2003-06) is in second place in career receptions with 186.

On the season, Winford has 31 receptions for 311 yards (103.7 yards per-game, 10.0 yards per-catch) and seven touchdowns, tops among MIAC receivers in overall receptions per-game and third in yardage per-game. In the NCAA Division III national statistics, Winford currently stands third nationally in receptions per-game (10.33) and 35th in receiving yardage per-game (103.7). His seven touchdowns (42 points) are sixth-most among NCAA Division III players.