Barkus by the Numbers

178-110-33

Career Record at Augustana

.650

Winning Percentage at Augustana

171

Academic All-Conference

73

All-Conference Selections

43

Individual Records broken/tied

21

Team Records broken/tied

32

NSIC Players of the Week

14

NSIC All-Tournament Selections

13

NSCAA DII All-Central Region

3

Daktronics All-Central Region

6

NCAA Tournament Appearances

8

CCA DII All-Central Region

11

CSC Academic All-District 7 Selections

3

Conference Freshman of the Year

1

D2CCA All-American

2

NSIC Tournament Runner-Up

1

NSIC Coach of the Year

1

NSIC Tournament MVP

1

NSIC Tournament Championship

Brandon Barkus has been the Head Soccer Coach at Augustana since 2006, compiling a record of 178-110-33, six NCAA tournament appearances and one NSIC tournament championship.

During the 2023 season, Barkus led his squad to a 9-7-3 overall record and 7-5-2 in conference play. Viking soccer recorded five wins on home field and defeated then No. 13 Central Missouri to open up season play. Augustana netted 25 goals and only allowed 19 while firing 13.1 shots per game. Four Vikings were named to NSIC All-Conference teams and earned three NSIC players of the week. Under his guidance, four Vikings were named to the CSC All-Academic District Team and one player was named to the United Soccer Coaches All-Central Region Third Team. 20 student-athletes garnered NSIC All-Academic honors. 

In the 2022 season, Barkus’s squad went 11-7-2 overall and 10-4-1 in NSIC action. The Vikings were strong at Morstad Field, with seven of their wins occurring in front of a home crowd. The team totaled 37 goals and contributed an average of 16.2 shots per game. Six Vikings were named to NSIC All-Conference teams in 2022 while one earned the NSIC Player of the Week honors. One student athlete also garnered D2CCA All-Region honors during the 2022 season. In the classroom, four student-athletes earned CSC Academic All-District honors while one was named to the CSC Academic All-America team. Twenty student-athletes also earned NSIC All-Academic honors.

During the 2021 season, Barkus coached a squad that held an overall record of 14-4-2 and a conference record of 12-1-2. The Vikings were unbeaten at home, winning six games and tying two. The team entered the NSIC Championships on a 10-game winning streak. Seven student-athletes earned All-NSIC honors, two student-athletes saw NSIC Player of the Week honors and two student athletes earned both D2CCA All-Region honors and United Soccer Coaches/NSCAA All-Region honors. In the classroom, two Vikings were named to CoSIDA All-District Academic teams and 13 Vikings earned All-NSIC Academic honors.

In 2019, Barkus's squad won 16 games (the second-most in program history), advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament for the third time in school history, went to the NCAA Tournament for the third year in a row and fifth in the last six years and went 12-2-1 in NSIC play. The Vikings defeated Central Oklahoma 2-1 in the first round of the NCAA Tournament on Nov. 22 before falling in the next round. 

Barkus saw seven of his players earn All-NSIC honors (including three on the All-NSIC First Team), three earn USCA All-Region honors, two earn D2CCA All-Region honors, one earn CoSIDA Academic All-District honors, one earn NSIC All-tournament honors, four earn NISC Player of the Week honors and 18 earn Academic All-NSIC honors. 

2018 proved to be another banner year for Augustana soccer, advancing to the programs  fourth NCAA tournament in the last five seasons. Barkus not only led the Vikings to thier sixth consecutive double-digit win total, but also racked up 12  NSIC wins. For the first time in program history, Barkus also saw one of his student-athletes earn All-America honors as Rebekah Thoresen was named 2018 D2CCA All-American second team.

In 2017, Barkus’ club made its fourth NCAA tournament in program history and advanced to the NCAA Second Round for the second time in school history and finished the season with a record of 14-4-5 (11-1-3 NSIC). The Vikings went on to break the school single season shutout record with 14 shutouts and made its third consecutive NSIC tournament final, finishing as runner-ups for the second straight season.

Barkus tutored seven All-NSIC selections, one CCA All-Region honoree, five NSIC Players of the Week and four NSIC All-Tournament performers. Academically, the Vikings had their second and third CoSIDA Academic All-District recipients (Hannah Keirstead and Courtney Almendinger) and Keirstead became the first Viking soccer student-athlete to win the distinction twice.

Barkus’ 2017 senior class will leave Augustana as one of the most prolific classes in school history with a four-year record of 60-18-9 and three trips to the NCAA tournament. Goalkeeper Taylor Machacek finished her Viking career as the school record holder in wins (45), shutouts (31.2), goalie games played (68), goalie games started (65) and goalie minutes played (6,191). Forward Samantha Tymkowicz finished her Viking career as the school record holder in game winning goals (16), shots attempted (248) and games played (85) and is second on the career list in goals (36) and points (81).

In 2016, the Vikings finished the season 13-5-3 (10-2-3 NSIC) finishing fourth in the NSIC standings and concluding their season in the NSIC Tournament title match.

Offensively, during the 2016 season Augustana scored the fifth most goals (38) in a single season in school history. Defensively, the Vikings produced the fourth best goalie save percentage (.849) and shutouts (6) in a single season and the fifth lowest goals against avg. (1.00).

Barkus had seven student-athletes earn All-NSIC recognition in 2016. He had one first teamer, two on the second team, three on the third team and one earn honorable mention. Barkus also had two student-athletes earn three NSIC Player of the Week honors.

The Vikings had four student-athletes named to the NSIC All-Tournament team. Augustana advanced to the NSIC Tournament title match for the second consecutive season after defeating No. 5 seed Minnesota Duluth in the quarterfinals and the No. 1 seed Minot State in the semis. The Vikings fell to No. 2 seed Minnesota State in the finals. Augustana was the No. 4 seed in the tournament.

In 2016, Hannah Keirstead was named to the CoSIDA Academic All-District 7 team which recognizes the nation's top student-athletes for their combined performances athletically and in the classroom. Keirstead became the first Augustana soccer student-athlete to receive the honor.

For the first time in program history Augustana was selected as preseason favorites in the NSIC and goalkeeper Taylor Machacek was tabbed as Preseason Defensive Player of the Year. The Vikings also achieved their first ever preseason ranking starting the season off as No. 17 in the NSCAA Top-25 Poll. 

The 2015 season was one to remember for Barkus as he led Augustana to their first ever NSIC Championship by defeating Winona State 1-0 on Nov. 8. The victory earned the Vikings their second consecutive NCAA Tournament berth where Barkus earned his first ever NCAA tournament win by defeating Harding University 2-1 on Nov. 13. The win over Harding was also Barkus’ 100th career victory.

In 2015, Barkus guided his soccer program to their best finish in school history with a 19-3-1 overall record and a 13-1-1 record in the NSIC. The Vikings 19 wins bettered their previous mark by five wins which was set the season before.

The program that Barkus has built was on full display in 2015 where the Vikings took home a program best, 35 individual awards. Barkus helped land seven members onto the All-NSIC team (five first teamers and two third teamers), four on the NSIC All-Tournament team, 14 earned Academic All-NSIC and the Vikings had two NSIC Player of the Week honors.

The awards continued for Barkus’ team as Taylor Machacek earned the programs first NSIC Tournament MVP Award. At a regional level Barkus’ helped land five athletes on the NSCA DII All-Central Region team (three first team members, a second team and third team member). Sam Tymkowicz and Lauren Brownrigg are the first Vikings to earn CCA DII All-Centeral Region honors.

Records fell in 2015 under Barkus as well: Game winning goals (9, Tymkowicz), assists (7, Stevens), wins (19, Machacek) and shutouts (11, Machacek).

In 2014, Barkus guided the Augustana to its highest levels in program history, resulting in taking home NSIC Coach of the Year honors for the first time in his career.

The Vikings posted a record of 14-6 in 2014, the 14 wins were a new program record for most wins in a single season. Augustana used a high-scoring and exciting style of play en route to making its second appearance in the NCAA Tournament.

The 14 wins in 2014 gave the program its first back-to-back seasons of at least 10 wins, and allowed for the team to earn its first-ever appearance in the National Soccer Coaches Association of America Top 25.

Augustana pushed itself to elite-level status in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference with a record of 12-3 in conference play, resulting in a second-place finish, the best the team has ever had since joining the league back in 2008. The Vikings also hosted their first postseason match Morstad against Minnesota Duluth in the quarterfinal of the NSIC Tournament, a 1-0 loss.

Home-field advantage became a real weapon for Augustana as the Vikings posted an 8-1 record at Morstad Field in 2014, setting new school records for wins (eight) and winning percentage (.888) at home in a single season.

On offense, Augustana’s high-scoring ways were evident throughout the course of the year. The Vikings ranked in the top five in points (second, 109), goals (second, 40) and assists (fifth, 29) in the NSIC. The 40 goals were the second most in team history, trailing only the 42 by the 2003 team.  Augustana’s 109 points in 2014 were just four shy of the program record of 113 set by the 2013 team.

For a second straight year, Barkus had two players earn All-NSIC first team honors in Stephanie Stevens and Payton Pry. The duo also became the first two players in team history to be named to the NSCAA All-Central Region teams, with Stevens earning first team honors and Pry third team.

Both players were a part of six Vikings to earn All-NSIC recognition for their stellar seasons, joining Ashley Limmer (second team), Samantha Arnold (second team), Emily Hanneman (second team), and Annie Thoresen (honorable mention). Arnold was also recognized for her terrific season under the leadership of Barkus, being named NSIC Newcomer of the Year.

A historic start to the 2013 season resulted in the Vikings going 10-8-1.  The 10 wins marked the third time in team history that Augustana soccer has won at least 10, all have come under Barkus’ watch.  The Vikings made the NSIC Tournament the fourth time in school history, eventually losing 5-1 in the quarterfinals to Winona State.

Some highlights for the year were a six-goal effort in a victory over MSU Moorhead, a 2-1 overtime victory over a tough Bemidji State team, taking then-second-ranked Minnesota State into double overtime before eventually losing 3-2 at Morstad Field, and a 2-1 win over then 19th-ranked Southwest Minnesota State to close out the regular season.

The Vikings set several team records during the course of the year.  Team records that were set were: points in a season (113), assists (35), points per game (5.95), and assists per game (1.84).  Augustana’s 39 goals were third most in team history.

Maren Werth and Katie Hurd became the first teammates in team history to earn All-NSIC first team honors in the same season.  Werth also became the third player in Vikings’ history to earn Daktronics All-Central Region honors, being named to the second team.  Kara Bartels also earned All-NSIC honorable mention.

An overall record of 6-10-2 in 2012 is not indicative of how hard the Vikings played. Nine of Augustana’s losses were by a single goal. Eight teams that bested the Vikings by a lone digit posted winning records in the NSIC. One of the close calls was to Minot State, winner of the conference tournament and qualifier for the NCAA Tournament.

Barkus’ Vikings capped the season with back-to-back 2-0 wins against the University of Sioux Falls and Southwest Minnesota State.

Since 2008, the Vikings have charted a 68-56-11 record and have qualified for the NSIC tournament five times. In 2008, the Vikings advanced to the NCAA Division II tournament for the first time in school history.

Barkus took command of the Viking program in 2006 and has compiled a 81-76-15 record.

In 2011, his Vikings were 10-9 overall and tied for sixth in the NSIC at 7-6. Augustana, the No. 6 seed, lost 2-1 at No. 3 seed Minnesota Duluth in the quarterfinals of the NSIC/ US Bank tournament. The Bulldogs’ winning goal came at the 88-minute mark.

Barkus’ 2008 squad posted the second-most successful season in the history of the women’s soccer program. The Vikings were 13-6-1 overall and 10-3 in conference play.

Prior to his arrival at Augustana, Barkus helped goalkeeper Molly Schneider from the University of Minnesota register two of the most successful seasons in Golden Gopher history. She recorded five shutouts in 2004, the most by a goalkeeper at the school since 2000. She followed up with seven shutouts in 2005 while winning All-Big Ten Conference first-team honors as well as Soccer Buzz Great Lakes All-Region second team.

Minnesota also cut its goals-against-average from a conference low of 2.38 in 2003 to 1.43 in 2004 and a school record 0.84 in 2005. Schneider allowed fewer than two goals in 16 of 19 games in 2005. She completed her collegiate career with a school record 1.12 goals against average.

Before joining the Golden Gophers’ staff, Barkus spent three years (2000-2002) as head coach of the women’s soccer team at Baker University in Baldwin City, Kan. He was an assistant men’s coach at Baker before taking the helm of the women’s program.

He also served as director of the Olathe Soccer Club for seven years, and was the head coach of the Kansas Olympic Development Program from 1995-2003.

The Augustana coach has earned his USSF “A” license and his USSF National Youth License. He has received the NSCAA Advanced National diploma and the NSCAA Level II Goalkeeping certification.

A native of Omaha, Neb., Barkus was the head coach of the varsity boys’ soccer team at Atchison (Kansas) High School from 1995-1998. He was named Kansas High School Coach of the Year in 1998.

As a player, Barkus was a two-time honorable mention All-America goaltender at Benedictine College in Atchison. He started three years for the Ravens and twice served as team captain.

Barkus earned a bachelor’s degree in education from Benedictine in 1995, and a master’s degree in education from Augustana in 2011.

Barkus and his wife, Jennifer, are the parents of two daughters, Jillian and Sierra.

Brandon Barkus Year-by-Year

Overall

Conf.

Year

School

W

L

T

W

L

T

Finish

2000

Baker (Kan.)

9

9

0

4

4

0

5th

2001

Baker (Kan.)

9

7

1

6

2

0

2nd

2002

Baker (Kan.)

10

8

1

6

1

1

2nd

2006

Augustana

5

12

1

2

9

1

6th

2007

Augustana

8

8

3

4

6

2

4th

2008

Augustana

13

6

1

*

10

3

0

3rd

2009

Augustana

7

8

5

4

5

4

9th

2010

Augustana

8

9

2

7

5

1

t-5th

2011

Augustana

10

9

0

7

6

0

t-6th

2012

Augustana

6

10

2

5

8

2

10th

2013

Augustana

10

8

1

8

6

1

7th

2014

Augustana

14

6

0

*

12

3

0

2nd

2015

Augustana

19

3

1

*

13

1

1

2nd

2016

Augustana

13

5

3

10

2

3

4th

2017

Augustana

14

4

5

*

11

1

3

3rd

2018

Augustana

12

6

3

*

10

3

2

3rd

2019

Augustana

16

5

1

*

12

2

1

2nd

2020

Augustana

Cancelled, COVID-19

2021

Augustana

14

4

2

12

1

2

2nd

2022

Augustana

11

7

2

10

4

1

3rd

2023

Augustana

9

7

3

7

5

2

5th

217

141

37

160

77

27