ROCK ISLAND, Ill. - For the first time since 2010, No. 6 Augustana College men's soccer will see playoff action when they visit No. 3 Illinois Wesleyan on Saturday, Oct. 31, for the CCIW Men's Soccer Championship quarterfinals. 

 

Details

-What: CCIW Men's Soccer Championship Quarterfinals 

-Date: October 31

-Time: 3:30 p.m.

-Location: Neis Field, Normal, Illinois

-Opponent: No. 3 Illinois Wesleyan Titans

-Live Stats: HERE

-Watch: CCIW Network

 

Regular Season Recap

Augie started the 2026 regular season with a solid run through non-conference play. After falling to Central in their season opener on September 1, the Vikings picked up three wins and a pair of ties throughout the remainder of their non-conference schedule. Augustana's defense shone in those five games, allowing just two goals while picking up three shutouts. 

 

CCIW play then began on September 26 and Augie struggled at first, failing to record a win through their first four games. However, the Vikings managed to pick up two draws and played well against No. 25 North Park on October 3, losing by just one goal. 

 

The Vikings picked up the momentum starting with their October 14 win over Elmhurst. That victory kicked off a three-game winning streak, one of which was a 5-2 drubbing of Cornell on Senior Night. Augie picked up another valuable point on October 24 when they used a late comeback to tie Carthage and secure their playoff spot. Augustana then ended the regular season this past Wednesday with a 5-0 loss to the top seed in the CCIW, North Central. 

 

At the end of the regular season, Augie sat with an overall record of 6-4-5 while going 2-3-3 in conference play, which was enough to secure the sixth seed in the playoffs. This was Augie's best overall record since the 2014 season and best mark in conference play since 2019. 

 

In terms of individual players, Augustana was led offensively this year by Lambis Fostiropoulos and Jamie K'Otieno, both of whom scored four goals and one assist to lead the squad with nine points. Wes Karubas and Diego San Pedro were also stalwarts for Augie, as they led the team in minutes with 1,348 and 1,188. In net, freshman Elias Banke emerged as the number one option, starting 14 games on his way to a 1.38 goals-against-average and a 0.813 save percentage, both of which were top-three marks in the conference. 

 

The Matchup

For their first round opponent, Augustana has drawn No. 3 Illinois Wesleyan. The two previously met this season on September 30 when IWU shut out the Vikings 3-0 in Bloomington. Augie has struggled with the Titans in recent history; the Vikings have beaten the Titans just once in their past 16 attempts. That win came in 2018 when Augie won 1-0 in double overtime in Rock Island. For the last time Augie won on IWU turf, you must go back another 16 years to 2002 when the Vikings won 2-1. 

 

This will be the first matchup between Augie and IWU in the CCIW Tournament. 

 

Augie Playoff History

Saturday's matchup will be Augie's first tournament appearance since the 2010 season. Since the first recorded tournament in 2002, Augustana holds a playoff record of 2-5. Those wins came in the first rounds of the 2003 and 2006 tournaments. Their last appearance ended with a 2-1 loss to Wheaton in the 2010 tournament.

 

What Would Be Next?

The winner of Saturday's showdown will move on to the semifinals and face No. 2 North Park on Wednesday, Nov. 4, in Chicago. The championship game would take place next, hosted by the highest remaining seed on November 7. 

 

Follow the Vikings

Keep up with all the latest news and information on the Augustana men's soccer by following the team on Twitter at @augieathletics, on Facebook at facebook.com/augiemsoccer/, and on Instagram at @augiemsoccer.