Augustana soccer was picked to finish first in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Soccer Preseason Coaches Poll after receiving 215 points and eight first place votes.
This marks the first time in program history the Vikings have been picked to win the NSIC in the preseason coaches poll. The NSIC also announced junior goalkeeper Taylor Machacek as the Preseason Defensive Player of the Year.
Augustana edged out Minnesota State for the top spot in the preseason poll by two points. The Mavericks received 213 points and seven first place votes. Winona State garnered the last first place vote and was selected to finish third with 188 points. Minot State (181 points) and Bemidji State (168 points) round out the top-five.
With the Vikings being picked as favorites to win the NSIC, it marks the first time dating back to the 2000 season that either Winona State or Minnesota State have not been picked to win the league.
