MOUNT VERNON, Iowa -- The Augustana Vikings men's lacrosse team will hit the road for the first time this season on Wednesday, March 1 when they take on the Cornell Rams in a non-conference battle.

The Vikings sit at 1-1 on the year after bouncing back from a season-opening loss with a 10-7 home win over the Northwestern (Minn.) Eagles on Saturday. The two teams played a back-and-forth battle, finding themselves in a 7-7 deadlock early in the fourth quarter. Augie proceeded to break away with three unanswered goals to close the game, holding on for the three-point victory. 

As a team, Augustana out-shout Northwestern 59-20. The Vikings had a strong defensive showing, causing 19 turnovers. The team also saw a major advantage in the ground balls category, holding a 44-16 margin. Brady Holtz was the game's top scorer, but also led the Vikings in caused turnovers with four. Three others secured at least two or more as Jack Connolly was next with three. Jack Worfel and Jack Olson also caused two. Trevor Herman and Holtz tallied double-digit ground balls in the win, with Herman posting a game-best 13. Gus Magnusson stopped seven shots in net.

Cornell enters Wednesday with a 1-2 record so far this season. The team has dropped two straight after winning the season opener over Centenary, with their most recent contest resulting in a 22-1 loss at Aurora. The Rams finished their 2022 slate with a 7-10 overall record, but went 4-2 in the MLC, qualifying for the conference tournament. Cornell fell in the semifinals to Lake Forest to end their season. 

Augustana has never lost to Cornell, winning all seven matches in program history. The two teams met in Rock Island last season, a 17-4 for the Vikings. Connolly led all scores with four goals in the win.

Start time is scheduled for 7 p.m.