D’Artagnan Johnson, contributor

Through the first five games of the 2024 campaign, Augsburg Mens Soccer appeared determined and confident on the road to the MIAC playoffs. The men are led by head coach Greg Holker who is starting his 20th year as head coach of the Auggies. Holker has been the winningest head coach in Augsburg soccer history for a while now with 185 career wins and will be knocking at the door of win 200 throughout this season. Since his first season coaching in 2004, Holker has brought the Auggies to eight MIAC Playoff appearances, one MIAC Playoff Championship win and three NCAA Tournament appearances. In his career, he has coached four All-Americans and two MIAC Players of the Year.

Beyond having an accomplished coach there are some rising juniors to watch out for this season. One junior to look out for is forward Mizael Harris. In his 35 career games for the Auggies, he’s been able to contribute mightily with 16 goals and 19 assists. Three of his 16 goals and one of his career assists have come in this season. Harris was the star of the show on Sept. 3 at Northwestern-St. Paul where he scored two of the team’s four goals. 

Another player to watch out for this season is junior midfielder Mitchel Munzing, who has played a total of 34 games, 25 as a starter. Just last season, Munzing scored seven goals and tallied eight assists. Munzing is amped for an explosive performance at any given time. On Oct. 7, 2023, he tore apart Concordia-Moorhead with three goals scored. With stellar performances in the 2023 season, both Harris and Munzing earned their first MIAC All-Conference Honors. Another impact player this season will be defender Jakob Mohrlok. He’s started in each of the team’s first five games and has scored three goals.

So far the Auggies are on a one match winning streak after taking out Wartburg College in Waverly on Sept. 8. The team currently sits at a record of three wins, a loss and a tie. Through these five games, the Auggies have outscored their opponents 10-3, allowing less than a goal per matchup.

See the Auggies back in action on Sept. 17 at 7:30 p.m. as they take on their first conference foe of the 2024 season at Edor Nelson Field. Augsburg will play MIAC rival Hamline, who are off to an undefeated 7-0 start. Last season, the Auggies hammered Hamline in a 5-1 victory. Fans will look forward to seeing the Auggies knock the Pipers off their high horse.