ROCK ISLAND -- The Augustana Vikings men's lacrosse team will wrap up its 2023 campaign on Saturday, April 29 when they welcome the North Central Cardinals to Thorson-Lucken Field.

The Vikings enter Saturday with a 6-9 overall record and 1-4 mark in the CCIW. The team was defeated in a neutral-site contest last Sunday in Bloomington, falling to the Transylvania Pioneers by a final of 21-5. The Pioneers had a big opening quarter, but Augie responded with a 3-2 advantage in the second quarter to inch closer thanks to back-to-back scores from Elijah Graesser. Another wide margin on the scoreboard in the third quarter ensued for Transylvania to allow them to pull away for good. Graesser led the Augie offense with a hat trick on a team-high 12 shots. Jack Connolly added an assist, while four different Vikings caused multiple turnovers on the defensive end. Zach Reser secured a team-best eight ground balls. Erik Singdahlsen stopped 14 shots in net.

North Central currently sits with a 9-5 overall record and 4-1 standing in the CCIW. The Cardinals recently fell in a double overtime heartbreaker on Wednesday, losing to the Illinois Wesleyan Titans by a score of 15-14 in a battle of unbeaten teams in conference. The loss snapped a four-game winning streak for North Central, officially wrapping up the No. 2 seed in the upcoming CCIW Tournament. The Cardinals have seen a majority of their success at home this season, posting a 6-1 record on their home field compared to a 3-4 mark away from Naperville.

Augustana has won four of the five all-time meetings with North Central, including last year's 7-6 road win over the Cardinals. Brenson Brown broke a 5-5 tie in the fourth quarter to put the Vikings up for good.

Start time on Saturday is scheduled for 1 p.m.