Augsburg College - Athletics

Augsburg College Athletics 2004-05 Year in Review: Fall Sports

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SPRING SPORTS YEAR IN REVIEW, CLICK HERE
2004-05 ATHLETIC AWARDS, CLICK HERE

Football (2-8 overall, 2-6 MIAC--t6th/9)

Augsburg College finished the 2004 football campaign 2-8 overall, 2-6 in Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference play. Putting the 2-8 record in perspective, however, Augsburg lost four of its eight games by a touchdown or less, with two losses decided on the final play and two others decided in the last two minutes of regulation. Augsburg claimed victories over Carleton (42-10) and Hamline (40-6) this season.

Augsburg head coach Jack Osberg retired at the end of the 2004 season with the most wins in school history, finishing 62-79 in his 14 seasons at the Auggies' mentor. Osberg will remain on the Augsburg staff with a position in the school's Alumni and Parent Relations and Development areas, developing connections with athletic alumni and parents. Frank Haege was hired as the Auggies' new head coach.

Joe Cullen (Sr., Coon Rapids, Minn.), Adam Hoffmann (Sr., Hastings, Minn.) and Marcus LeVesseur (Jr., Minneapolis, Minn./Bloomington Kennedy HS) were named to the All-MIAC football first team, while Nick Schlieman (Jr., Burnsville, Minn.) earned All-MIAC second-team recognition. Cullen, Hoffmann and LeVesseur all earned All-MIAC first-team honors for the first time. Hoffmann was an All-MIAC second-team selection in 2003 and an honorable-mention selection in 2002; Cullen was an honorable-mention selection in both 2003 and 2002. Schlieman was a All-MIAC first-team selection in 2003 and 2002.

Receiving votes in the conference coaches’ balloting to earn All-MIAC honorable-mention honors were: Ben Bothun (Sr., Dawson, Minn./Dawson-Boyd HS), Jake Koelln (Jr., Rochester, Minn./John Marshall HS), Andy Matzke (Jr., Faribault, Minn.), Chike Ochiagha (Jr., Savage, Minn./Holy Angels HS), Craig Pike (Sr., Pine Island, Minn.) and Yarzue Slowon (Sr., Crystal, Minn./Robbinsdale Armstrong HS).

Cullen, a defensive lineman, became the fifth Auggie to ever accumulate 20 sacks in his career. He finished his career with 20.5 career sacks, good for fifth-best in school history; the school record is 28.5, set by Bob Anderson from 1992-95. Cullen led the team in sacks this season with 7.5 (fifth-best in the MIAC in all games), and tackles for loss with 15.5 (second-best in the MIAC in all games). Cullen finished the 2004 season with 51 tackles (25 solo), along with two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery. In his four-season career, Cullen finished with 182 total tackles (83 solo), including 40.5 tackles for loss, four fumble recoveries and four forced fumbles.

Hoffmann, a center, led an Auggie offensive line that averaged 341.3 yards per game (4.7 yards per play) in 2004, including 1,861 rushing yards (4.2 yards per carry), as the team shifted to a multiple offense that featured the run more prominently this season. Hoffmann earned D3football.com Preseason All-American third-team honors prior to this season. Hoffmann received the team's Outstanding Lineman award in 2002, his first-year as a full-time starter, in addition to sharing the honors with Nate Anderson in 2003. In his three seasons as a starter, Augsburg averaged 328.2 yards of total offense per game, accumulating 9,846 yards of total offense.

LeVesseur, a quarterback, ended his first collegiate football campaign setting all of the school's single-season rushing records, setting new marks for yardage (1,024), carries (256) and rushing touchdowns (10). He became just the second Auggie ever to rush for more than 1,000 yards in a season (Marty Alger, 1,011 yards in 1992), and just the third Auggie to accumulate more than 200 carries in a season (Brian Warden, 232 in 1999; and Wayne Graves, 217 in 1973). Overall, LeVesseur led the MIAC in total offense in both conference (267.4 yards per game) and overall (233.0 ypg) play, while ranking third in all-purpose yards in both conference (146.0 ypg) and overall (131.5 ypg) play. LeVesseur finished second in the MIAC in rushing in both overall (102.4 ypg) and conference (123.4) play, as one of only two MIAC players to average more than 100 rushing yards per game this season. LeVesseur completed his first season of college football after earning two NCAA Division III national titles at 157 pounds as an Auggie wrestler.

Schlieman, a punter/kicker, finished third in the league in punting (38.2 yards per punt overall, 39.1 ypp in MIAC play). In his three seasons at Augsburg, Schlieman is averaging 39.6 yards per punt (6,579 yards on 166 punts), including a school-record 74-yarder last season. He is the lone MIAC kicker to average 38 or more yards per punt in each of the last three seasons. As a kicker, Schlieman connected on a school-record-tying 49-yard field goal on the final play of the first half in Augsburg's regular-season finale against St. Olaf.

Bothun, a wide receiver, transferred to Augsburg and shined this season, leading the team in receptions (36), receiving yards (451) and touchdowns (five). He caught four touchdown passes in Augsburg’s 40-6 win over Hamline to tie a single-game school record.

Koelln, a defensive lineman, claimed 47 tackles (20 solo) this season, including 6.0 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks. He also recovered four fumbles this season. In three seasons at Augsburg, Koelln has accumulated 83 tackles (37 solo), 8.0 tackles for loss and 5.0 sacks.

Matzke, a defensive back, returned to the Augsburg roster after a year’s absence and finished second on the team in tackles, claiming 70 (38 solo). He also picked off three passes and recorded a fumble recovery and forced fumble this season. He also led the Auggies with 15 punt returns for 168 yards this season. In three years, Matzke has 137 tackles (70 solo), nine interceptions and 50 punt returns for 448 yards (8.96 yards per return) with two touchdowns. He was also an All-MIAC honorable-mention selection in 2002.

Ochiagha, a defensive lineman, compiled 40 tackles (nine solo), including 3.0 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks and a forced fumble from the nose-guard position this season, returning to the lineup after missing last season due to injury. He has 51 tackles (16 solo), 6.0 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks in two seasons.

Pike, a defensive lineman, claimed 42 tackles (10 solo) this season, including 9.0 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks, both totals second-best on the team. In two seasons at Augsburg, Pike accumulated 78 tackles (28 solo), 17.5 tackles for loss, 9.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.

Slowon, a wide receiver, earned All-MIAC second-team honors his sophomore and junior seasons. He claimed 30 receptions for 339 yards and four receiving touchdowns this seson, while also earning a reputation as one of the top returners in the conference. He had 27 kickoff returns for 708 yards (26.2 yards per return) and nine punt returns for 39 yards. He ranked second-best in the MIAC in kickoff return average (26.5 yards per return in league games), and 19th-best in kickoff returns in the Division III national rankings. In his three seasons at Augsburg, Slowon finished with 127 career receptions for 1,717 yards and 17 touchdowns (fifth-best in school history). He also compiled 1,578 yards on 66 kickoff returns (23.9 yards per return) in his career.

Volleyball (9-16 overall, 1-10 MIAC--t10th/12)

The Augsburg volleyball team finished the 2004 season 9-16 overall, 1-10 in MIAC play. The Auggies, under second-year head coach Cathy Skinner, finished the season with more victories than the previous two seasons combined (six). The Auggies had only one senior on the roster, and will return 14 letterwinners next season for new head coach Jessica Phillips, who was hired in January.

Highlights of the season included a second-place finish at the Wisconsin-Eau Claire tournament early in the season, with a 3-1 match record; winning the Northland (Wis.) tournament in late September with three straight three-game sweeps; and wins over Hamline and North Central (Minn.) in early October.

Augsburg was led this season by middle hitters Kristy Larson (Sr., Pine Island, Minn.) and Billie Painschab (Jr., Howard Lake, Minn./Howard Lake-Waverly HS). Larson, the lone senior on the roster, compiled 208 kills (2.45 per game) and 55 blocks (12 solo). She ended her career ranked in the top 10 in the school's career lists in total blocks (212, third), block solos (46, fifth), block assists (164, eighth) and kills (754, eighth). Painschab led the Auggies in both kills (257, 3.10 per game) and blocks (65, 19 solo).

Outside hitter Linnea Evans (Jr., Kenyon, Minn./Kenyon-Wanamingo HS) contributed 204 kills (2.87 per game), 22 blocks (one solo), 231 digs (3.25 per game) and 26 service aces, while Sarah Bradley (Fr., International Falls, Minn.) had 180 kills (2.20 per game), 23 blocks (one solo) and team-highs of 270 digs (3.29 per game) and 39 service aces.

Setter Alexis Johnson (Jr., Oakdale, Minn./North St. Paul HS) contributed 807 assists (10.09 per game) and 24 service aces, and libero Tina Quick (Fr., Blaine, Minn./Centennial HS) had 249 digs. Other Auggies on the young roster who had strong contributions included hitters Emma Sutton (Fr., Chicago, Minn./Mother McAuley HS), Katie LaGrave (Fr., Okinawa, Japan/Kadena HS), Haley Bower (Fr., Brainerd, Minn.), Kirstie Zitzow (Jr., Dover, Minn./Dover-Eyota HS) and Courtney Isakson (Fr., Northfield, Minn.).

Men's Soccer (7-9-2 overall, 1-7-2 MIAC--10th/11)

Under first-year head coach Greg Holker in 2004, Augsburg showed dramatic improvement, finishing with a 7-9-2 overall record, 1-7-2 in MIAC play. Augsburg won seven of its first 11 games to start the season, including 4-0 non-conference wins over Viterbo and Martin Luther, a 5-0 conference win over St. Mary's, and a record-setting 9-2 win over Bethany Lutheran.

With seven wins in 2004, Augsburg matched the 1995 (7-9-0) and 1997 (7-10-1) teams for the school's most men's soccer wins since 1980 (11-1-3). Augsburg had just three seniors on the roster, and will return eight starters and 11 letterwinners for the 2005 campaign.

The 2004 Auggies ranked in the top five in the MIAC in several statistical categories: corner kicks (second with 115), shots (second with 303), goals scored (third with 41), goals per game (second with 2.28), and assists (fifth with 30). The Auggies also finished at the bottom of the conference in cautions, earning just 13 yellow cards in 18 games.

Forward Mike Elcano (Sr., Sparks, Nev./Bishop Manogue HS) set a single-season school record for goals with 14, leading the MIAC in overall scoring with 33 points. He finished his career with Augsburg’s all-time record for goals with 35, while ranking third all-time in assists with 16 and second all-time in total points with 86. He earned first-team All-MIAC honors in 2004 and honorable mention all-conference honors in 2002.

Named honorable mention All-MIAC were midfielder Aaron Riedel (Jr., Minneapolis, Minn./South HS) and defender Noah Turner (So., Plymouth, Minn./Wayzata HS). Riedel was second on the team in scoring, with seven goals and three assists for 17 points. In 53 career games at Augsburg, Riedel has 23 goals and 13 assists for 59 points. Turner established himself as a strong defender and also contributed on the offensive end, scoring two goals with one assist for five points, appearing in all 18 games.

Forward Mark Cohn (Fr., Anoka, Minn./Blaine HS) and Riedel each tied for ninth in the MIAC for total points with 17. Cohn notched six goals and five assists.

Senior midfielder Clarke Athman (Sr., St. Joseph, Minn.) finished his career with four goals and four assists for 16 points in 60 career games. Senior goalkeeper Lucas Grant (Sr., Starbuck, Minn./Minnewaska Area HS) made 41 game appearances in his three-season career (2001, 2003-04), finishing with a 12-19-3 career record, seven career shutouts and a career goals-against-average of 2.09.

Women's Soccer (10-8-0, 7-4-0 MIAC--t3rd/12, playoff qualifier)

Augsburg’s women’s soccer program has shown tremendous improvement, both in victories and quality of play, since head coach Mike Navarre took over leadership of the program in the 1999 season.

Over the last five seasons, Augsburg has produced some of the best records in school history, culminating in the school’s first-ever apperance in the MIAC postseason playoffs in 2004. Augsburg finished 10-7-0 in the regular season and 7-4-0 in MIAC play. Augsburg lost to conference champion Macalester 1-0 in the MIAC playoff semifinals.

Augsburg completed the second-best three-year stretch in school history in 2004. Augsburg is 32-18-4 over the last three seasons. Augsburg's seven MIAC wins marked the most league wins in a single season in school history. Over the last five years, Augsburg is 46-37-6 overall.

Augsburg forwards Emily Anderson (So., Hudson, Wis.) and Millie Suk (Jr., Rochester, Minn./Mayo HS) were named to the All-MIAC women's soccer team, while defender Nora Austin (Jr., St. Paul, Minn./Cretin-Derham Hall HS) earned honorable-mention recognition. The award was Suk's third-straight All-MIAC first-team honors; she is the only current junior in the league named first-team All-MIAC each of her first three seasons.

Suk was also named to the 2004 National Soccer Coaches Association of America Division III All-West Region third team and the CoSIDA Academic All-District V Women's Soccer College Division first team. She finished the 2004 season as Augsburg's leading scorer, with nine goals and four assists for 22 points. In her three-year career, Suk has 29 goals, 11 assists and 69 points on her career. Suk is just two goals away from tying Augsburg's all-time career goals record -- 31, set by Kara Seibel from 1991-95. Seibel also holds the team's career assists (26) and points (88) records.

Anderson, a forward/midfielder, finished second on the team in scoring in 2004, with eight goals and four assists for 20 points. In her two seasons at Augsburg, Anderson has 16 goals and 10 assists for 42 points. Both Suk and Anderson finished tied for seventh in MIAC play in conference scoring (MIAC games only), with 14 points. Anderson had six goals and two assists in league play, while Suk had five goals and four assists in league play.

Austin, who moved from forward to defense last year, continued her play as one of the best marking backs in the league. She was also Augsburg's primary corner-kick and free-kick specialist, contributing five assists this season, a total that ranked second-best in the MIAC (league games only). In her three seasons, Austin has four goals and six assists for 14 career points.

Men's/Women's Cross Country (Men 8th/11 at MIAC meet, 12th/22 at NCAA Division III Central Regional; Women 6th/12 at MIAC meet, 9th/24 at NCAA Division III Central Regional)

Under head coach Dennis Barker, Augsburg finished one of its most successful cross country seasons ever in 2004. Augsburg's women placed sixth at the MIAC championships, its best finish since 1994. At the NCAA Division III Central Regional meet, Augsburg claimed its best finish since the cross country program was restarted at the college in 1991, finishing ninth overall in the 24-team regional meet. Augsburg's previous best women's team finish in regional competition was a 12th-place outing in 1996.

Augsburg's men's squad placed eighth at the MIAC championships, and at the NCAA Division III Central Regional meet, Augsburg tied its best-ever finish since 1991, finishing 12th overall in the 22-team regional meet.

For the Auggie women, Ellen Waldow (Jr., Lanesboro, Minn.) earned All-MIAC honors with a 13th-place finish (19:58.5, 5,000 meters) at the conference meet, then earned All-Region honors with a 16th-place finish (23:20, 6,000 meters) at the regional meet. Angela Bergeson (Jr., Red Wing, Minn.) was an All-MIAC honorable-mention selection with a 17th-place finish (20:09.9, 5,000 meters) at the conference meet and All-Region recipient by finishing 18th (23:23, 6,000 meters) at the regional meet. Hannah Dietrich (Sr., Luverne, Minn.) earned All-MIAC honorable-mention honors with a 23rd-place (20:22.6, 5,000 meters) at the conference meet.

For the Auggie men at the conference meet, Riley Conway (Sr., Lake City, Minn.) and Dan Vogel (Sr., LaCrescent, Minn.) earned All-MIAC honorable-mention honors with finishes of 16th (27:28.8, 8,000 meters) and 25th (28:03.3), respectively. At the regional meet, Conway finished 29th overall in the 147-runner men's race to earn All-Region honors, running in a personal-best 26:21 over 8,000 meters in his final collegiate race.

In the spring, Conway was named to the ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America College Division Men's Track and Field/Cross Country Second Team and the Academic All-District V first team by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA).

This season, the Auggie women recorded 20 personal bests over 6,000 meters and nine over 5,000 meters, while the Auggie men notched eight personal bests over 8,000 meters. Another highlight of the season was Augsburg's performance at a large meet at New York University in September, as the Auggie women placed second of 22 teams and the Auggie men placed third of 28 teams.

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Augsburg College, a college of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, is a member of the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) and the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division III.

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