ST. PAUL, Minn. -- The Augustana Vikings women's water polo team will be back in action on Saturday and Sunday as they head to the Twin Cities for four non-conference contests.

Augie is currently 1-1 after splitting a trip to McKendree last weekend. The Vikings fell in a close battle to the host Bearcats in the opener by a score of 11-8 before knocking off conference rival Carthage by a score of 12-4. Against the Firebirds, the Vikings used sound defense in the inner periods, holding Carthage scoreless in each of the second and third quarters to help pull away. Casey Barragan scored six times across the two games, earning CWPA Player of the Week honors, while Lizzie Pelzman and Alayna Ickert also earned weekly accolades.

The Vikings will begin the weekend against NCAA Division I opponent VMI on Saturday at 10:30 a.m. The Keydets are 2-3 on the young season, recently falling to Salem by a score of 16-11 to close out a string of five straight games at home. Both of VMI's wins this season are by a single goal, with the most recent a 10-9 overtime triumph over McKendree. The Vikings are 1-0 all-time against the Keydets, winning last season in St. Paul by a score of 16-13.

Also on Saturday, Augie will take on the Ottawa (Ariz.) Spirit at 3:30 p.m. The Spirit enter the weekend with an 0-7 record, recently falling to Arizona State by a score of 23-1. Five of Ottawa's seven contests this season have come against NCAA Division I opponents. The team will begin its weekend taking on McKendree before facing Augustana. This weekend will serve as the third all-time meeting between the Vikings and Spirit, with Augie winning last season in St. Paul by a score of 9-8 to even the series at one win apiece.

On Sunday, the Vikings will begin with a battle against the Occidental Tigers, who are currently receiving votes in the latest Division III rankings. The Tigers enter the weekend having yet to register an official contest this season and will face Carthage to begin the weekend on Saturday. Occidental ended the 2024 campaign with a 2-25 record. Sunday will be the third meeting between Augie and Oxy, with the Vikings winning last season in Los Angeles by a score of 14-11. The two teams met in St. Paul two seasons ago, resulting in an 11-7 win for the Vikings and the first-ever victory in program history. Start time is scheduled for 10:15 a.m.

Augustana will close the weekend with a rematch against Carthage at 4:15 p.m. The Firebirds sit at 0-2 on the year, dropping both games against McKendree and Augie last weekend. The Vikings are 7-0 all-time against their conference rival.

Live video links for the weekend can be found here.