ST. PAUL, Minn. -- The Augsburg College men's soccer team will return to the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference postseason playoffs for the first time since the 2011 season, clinching a berth with one of its biggest wins in recent years, a 2-0 triumph over the previously unbeaten University of St. Thomas on Saturday afternoon.

THE BASICS
FINAL SCORE: Augsburg 2, St. Thomas 0
LOCATION: UST South Field, St. Paul, Minn.
RECORDS: Augsburg 7-9-2 overall (4-4-2 MIAC), St. Thomas 14-1-3 overall (7-1-2 MIAC)

HOW IT HAPPENED
• Lionel Vang (FY, Little Canada, Minn./Roseville HS) scored twice in a 2:57 span to lift the Auggies to the victory. He scored on a shot from T.J. Johnson (SO, Blaine, Minn.) at the 67:17 mark, then gave the Auggies a 2-0 lead on a penalty kick goal at the 70:14 mark.
• With the win, the Auggies will advance to play in their fifth MIAC postseason playoffs in school history. The No. 6-seed Auggies will travel to face No. 3-seed Gustavus on Tuesday (11/1) at 2 p.m., with the winner advancing to the semifinals at either No. 1-seed St. Thomas or No. 2-seed Macalester on Wednesday (11/2) at a time to be determined. In the teams' previous meeting, on Oct. 8, the Gusties topped the Auggies 2-1 in overtime at Edor Nelson Field.
• Clark Page (SO, Delafield, Wis./Kettle Moraine HS) improved to 3-3-1 on the season with his first collegiate shutout, a seven-save effort in goal for Augsburg. 
• Augsburg was outshot by a 17-12 margin by St. Thomas. Vang had four shots in the game, while Bobby Kohl (JR, Shorewood, Wis.) had three shots and Peyton Boich (FY, Cottage Grove, Minn./Park HS) had two shots.

FOR THE FOES
• Shae Bottum had four shots for St. Thomas, while Christian Elliehausen and Pierce Erickson had three shots each.
• Grant Larson had three saves in goal for St. Thomas.

QUOTES FROM AUGSBURG HEAD COACH GREG HOLKER
• "This was a great game. Two teams that can play -- a tactical game, one that required patience, intellect, and the type of quality from players that was on display for both teams. We felt good heading into the game, certainly. We respect St. Thomas and everything they have accomplished this season -- it's impressive. At the same time, we believe in what we do and we thought we could win."
• "Our program is in a good place right now. We have a young team that plays in a way we all enjoy, and is now figuring out how to be effective in achieving results. In our last three games, we played with our backs against the wall against the MIAC's top two teams and a St. Olaf team that at the time had lost just once in league play. We did exactly what we needed, securing 7-of-9 points with two wins and a draw."
• "I am extremely happy for our guys -- in particular our seniors, who have clearly left this program better off through their sacrifices and commitment. I was disappointed Festus Lamin couldn't play today. He's only been able to go four times in his final season, after earning league honors last year. I feel for him, and our guys do, too. This win gives him a little more time to recover and potentially give him a chance to play against Gustavus on Tuesday. He's earned that. He deserves that."
• "Lionel Vang was not going to let us lose today. That was clear the moment he woke up. I suspect he will feel the same way on Tuesday, and if that's the case, good for us. We all remember our first game with Gustavus -- losing 2-1 in overtime with 10 players. That did not sit well with us. It's good to get a second shot."
• "Clark Page was really sharp today. He held all the difficult balls -- and there were a few of them -- on a wet day and a slick surface. In order for us to keep going, we are going to need him to keep improving and growing as he has been. Playoff goalkeeping is key to any team that wants to make a run."
• "Bobby Kohl was immovable. He was effective with every possession, and a threat when he was running at the St. Thomas backs. I just thought he stood out today with that performance, and should be commended for it -- really fun to watch."