EDITOR'S NOTE: Augsburg College men's soccer head coach put together this preview for readers as the Auggies enter their final game of the season on Saturday (10/31) at 1 p.m. at Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter.

Auggies Look to Close Out Season on Four-Game Win Streak
The Augsburg men's soccer program has had its share of struggles this season, defined clearly by its lack of results in a year where expectations were extremely high. With one game remaining, the Auggies sit at 8-7-1 overall heading into an important MIAC clash on Saturday at Gustavus (8-6-3) in St. Peter, Minn. The Gusties must win to have any chance at advancing to the conference playoff, while the Auggies would like to end their season the way they started it.

Tale of Three Seasons (Within a Season)
In the Auggies' first six games, they grabbed five wins and a 0-0 tie to earn their highest national ranking in school history (No. 14). In those opening games, the Auggies scored 13 goals, with seven of those coming off of set pieces. Augsburg conceded just three goals (two of which came in the sixth game).

For the next seven games, goals would come only once – in a 3-2 loss against Wisconsin-Oshkosh on Sept. 25. One goal was recorded in the run of play, the other off a set piece. Five of those seven games ended in 1-0 losses, yet Augsburg was outshot just once in that seven-game stretch (a 1-0 double overtime loss to St. Thomas). The second goal in the last loss to Carleton came with less than a second on the clock, as the Auggies had everyone pushed forward. Seven games, seven losses -- essentially by one goal, and just two goals scored. The Auggies outshot their opponents during this stretch by a 115-54 margin, including a 55-29 difference in chances on goal. Result -- seven consecutive losses for the first time since 1999.

Trailing 1-0 at halftime on an "own goal," the Auggies scored two goals off of set pieces in the second half to defeat St. Scholastica for its first win in over a month on Oct. 20. Three days later, the Auggies would get another set-piece goal to claim their first shutout win since Sept. 12 by defeating Hamline University. A road game in Winona would bring Augsburg another shutout win -- and two more set-piece goals, making it three straight heading into the season finale.

Scoring Drought Over?
Goals have come in the last three games for Augsburg, but all five have been scored off of restarts. The Auggies have yet to record a goal in the run of play since its game on Sept. 25 against Wisconsin-Oshkosh. In fact, of Augsburg's 20 goals on the season, 13 have come from set pieces. In every one of Augsburg's eight wins, it has scored a free kick of some variety.

What the Heck Happened?
In the 11-team MIAC, Augsburg ranks tops in shots per game (18.94) and corner kicks (7.25) per game. Augsburg sits third in goals against average (0.85) and fourth in shutouts per game (0.38). Augsburg also ranks ninth in saves per game – which translates into fewer shots against. The Auggies also rank seventh in fouls per game (10.35) and dead last in cautions per game (0.44) with just seven on the year. This could mean a few things – referees like the Auggies and let them get away with more than their opponents … or Augsburg has possession of the ball a lot more than they don't, leading to less tackling, etc. The yellow card count can be interpreted similarly – referees let the Auggies off easy … or they are a disciplined group that do not commit themselves foolishly or desperately.

Playing games at Edor Nelson Field makes it more difficult not to foul, as the field is just 65 yards wide compared to the 80 yards in width at Gustavus. Less room equates to more contact, etc. These statistics point toward an advantage earned by the Auggies in their games; however, the Auggies are eighth in the conference standings on just nine points. You don't have to look far to discover why – Augsburg ranks seventh in goals scored per game (1.25).

Halloween
Augsburg fell at home to Gustavus in last year's regular season match, 1-0. Statistically, that game looked a lot like the current season for Augsburg. The Auggies outshot the Gusties 21-8, though the lone shot on goal found the back of the net for Gustavus. Augsburg would recover to get its first win over Gustavus since 1997 in the MIAC playoff semifinal, earning a 3-0 result in St. Peter.

Although this season's final game has little meaning to Augsburg, an MIAC playoff spot as it stake for the Gusties. Don't think that the meaning of the game will translate into effort – both of these teams want to win each time they step on the field. Saturday will be no different. Set pieces may be the deciding factor.