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SIOUX FALLS, S.D.- No. 2 seed Augustana soccer secured its first-ever postseason victory with a 1-0 win over No. 7 seed Southwest Minnesota State in the NSIC Tournament quarterfinals on Wednesday at Morstad Field. The victory gives the Vikings a 16-2-1 record, while the Mustangs dropped to 8-9-2 on the season.
The Vikings dominated the first half early on with chances by
Emily Jacobson and
Stephanie Stevens. SMSU's Kristy Leopold made big saves to keep the game tied at zero.
The Mustangs Kendahl Fisher had a chance to get the lead late in the half.
Taylor Machacek made a key save diving to her right to keep the game tied going into halftime. Augustana outshot the Mustangs 11-2 in the half.
Kirsten Smith gave the Vikings the lead early in the the second half thanks in part to a misplaced ball from a couple of SMSU defenders. The goal was Smith's fifth of the season.
SMSU would put a lot of pressure on the Vikings defense trying to get the game-tying goal, but the defense clamped down to preserve the 1-0 victory. Machacek made six saves en route to her 10th shutout on the season.
Augustana will play in the semifinals of the NSIC Tournament Friday at 11 a.m. against Minot State in Mankato, Minn.
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