Defense stole the show to begin the 2023 season for the Augustana Vikings women's soccer team, posting seven shutouts in its first nine outings. 

The Vikings began the season with a 1-0 triumph on the road at Principia, seeing a game-winner come from Liesl Whitener in the 85th minute. After a road loss to a strong Illinois Tech squad, Augie rattled off a 12-game unbeaten streak, beginning with four straight victories over the course of a week. Whitener scored six times during the four-game window and earned CCIW Player of the Week on September 12. All four victories came via shutout.

Following a 2-2 draw with Monmouth, the unbeaten streak moved on with two more shutouts over Lawrence and North Park. Another deadlock with Carthage kept the Vikings out of the loss column before a 1-0 victory over Illinois Wesleyan gave them their second victory of the conference slate. The win over the Titans was the first since 2018, snapping a five-game losing streak in the series. Augie followed with a scoreless tie to Millikin and a 1-0 triumph on the road over Elmhurst. Jordyn Swanson's goal in the 89th minute on a pass from Paige Bingen proved to be the difference maker and secure the team's 10th win of the season.

Augie's unbeaten streak came to an end on a non-conference defeat to Grinnell on October 14. The team endured a bumpy end to the regular season, securing one draw with Carroll and suffering three losses. The Vikings held on to the No. 4 seed in the CCIW Tournament and hosted its first playoff game since 2018, but fell in overtime to the Big Blue by a score of 1-0 to end the season. The Vikings ended the year with a 10-5-4 record, the most wins since 2019.

Following the regular season, three Vikings were named to the CCIW's All-Conference teams. Janey Castoe earned First Team honors and was named the league's Goalkeeper of the Year, becoming the first Viking to win a specialty award since 2012. Whitener notched Second Team accolades and her third straight All-CCIW nod, while Abby DeGustino was also listed on Second Team. In late November, both Castoe and Whitener were named to College Sports Communicators Academic All-District Team and a week later were awarded All-Region status. Whitener is now a two-time All-Region selection.

For a look at the updated women's soccer record book, click here.