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MINNEAPOLIS -- For the third time in the past five seasons, the Augsburg College men's soccer team will compete in the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference postseason playoffs, clinching a berth with a 1-0 win over Gustavus Adolphus College on Friday evening at Edor Nelson Field.

Augsburg's Mohamed Sankoh (FY, St. Paul, Minn./Como Park HS) scored his first collegiate goal in the 42nd minute, sliding in a shot from the left side on an assist by Edi Becerra (FY, Inver Grove Heights, Minn./Minneapolis Southwest HS). The goal and assist were the first collegiate points for both Auggies.

"It was so fitting that two of our first-years combined to score the game-winner," said Augsburg head coach Greg Holker. "They have been getting more and more confident each day and are both extremely talented. Edi slipped in a great ball and Mo was precise and quick with his finish. Edi almost doubled the lead a minute later when he blasted just high from 18 yards."

With the win, Augsburg (13-4-1 overall, 7-2-1 MIAC) clinched one of the four spots in the MIAC's postseason playoffs, which begin with semifinal matchups on Tuesday (11/2). The win also secured playoff spots for both Concordia-Moorhead and Carleton, which finish their regular seasons on Saturday. Macalester clinched the MIAC regular-season title and top seed in the playoffs with a 1-0 win over Hamline on Friday.

The conference playoff appearance is the third under Augsburg's Holker, with previous appearances in 2006 and 2008. Holker is now 69-48-16 in his seven seasons with the Auggies. Augsburg completed its fourth double-digit victory regular season in the last five years.

"Our guys have been locked into this moment as much as I can remember any of our teams in the past," Holker said. "This was a strong effort and performance from the entire group. We didn't give Gustavus a sniff at our goal and our work on the ball was extremely entertaining. We belong in the top four. That being said, it's back to work right away. This is just the beginning. We don't care if we are home vs. Carleton or on the road at Concordia. We just want to play."

Augsburg controlled play through much of the game with the Gusties (10-5-3 overall, 5-2-3 MIAC), outshooting Gustavus by a 15-3 margin. Gustavus had an edge in corner kicks, 4-3, but was unable to put a shot past goalkeeper Will Morlock (FY, Grand Haven, Mich.), who had two saves for his sixth shutout of the season.

Benjamin Wexler (SR, Minnetonka, Minn./Benilde-St. Margaret HS) and Becerra had three shots each for the Auggies. Mark Adams (JR, Waukee, Iowa) had two shots for Gustavus, with Gustie goalkeeper Luke Strom (SR, Plymouth, Minn./Wayzata HS) had four saves.

"I thought Joe Keller (SR, Wayzata, Minn.) was fantastic tonight -- both he and Tyler Heaps (SO, St. Paul, Minn./DeLaSalle HS) had their way in the match, and Heaps was especially dangerous in the first half combining with Wexler and Jeff Butler (SO, Prior Lake, Minn.) to get forward," Holker said. "Chad Gilmer (SO, Bloomington, Minn./Jefferson HS) won every single ball in the air. He was an absolute beast. I thought #T.J. Haag# (SR, Apple Valley, Minn./Burnsville HS) and Peter Osborn (JR, Eagan, Minn./Eastview HS) dominated midfield for us. They combined well and put themselves in good spaces most of the night."