ROCK ISLAND -- The Augustana Vikings men's lacrosse team will officially begin their 2023 campaign on Saturday, February 18 when they host the Calvin Knights at Thorson-Lucken Field.

Augie is coming off of a 9-6 record in 2022 season, their highest win total since 2016. The Vikings started their season with a pair of losses before going on a major hot streak in the month of March. The Vikings rattled off six-straight non-league wins including three road games and three home games. Augie then picked up their first CCIW win of the year in early April with a 7-6 triumph over eventual CCIW tournament champion North Central. The Vikings' second league victory came in a 22-3 drubbing at Carroll before dropping the final two contests of the season.
 
Individually, Augustana was led by senior midfielder and Downers Grove, Ill. native Matt Pierson. The Vikings' top defender, Pierson was named to multiple postseason awards lists. Pierson's honors included a First-Team IMLCA All-Region 5 nod, a USILA All-America Honorable Mention, and a First-Team All-CCIW honor. He was also named the CCIW Defensive Student-Athlete of the Year. Pierson set four season and career records in his senior season.
 
Other key 2022 contributors included senior midfielder John Calabrese. The Park Ridge, Ill. native led the team with over 125 ground ball and was named a Second-Team All-CCIW performer. Returner and 2023 team captain Paul Huber was named to a pair of postseason awards lists including a First-Team All-CCIW nod and a Second-Team IMLCA All-Region 5 nomination.

Calvin enters 2023 coming off of an 8-9 campaign last season. The Knights ended the year with two wins in their final three games, but failed to make the conference tournament following a 2-4 record in league play. Calvin had previously enjoyed three consecutive winning seasons before last year's sub-.500 mark. 

Saturday will be the third meeting ever between the two programs, with Augustana winning both of the prior matchups. The Vikings defeated the Knights in Grand Rapids, Mich. last season by a score of 8-5. Elijah Graesser notched two scores for Augie, while Carson Ghys, Jack Connolly, and Brady Holtz also added goals.

Start time is scheduled for 2:00 p.m.