SIOUX FALLS — The time has arrived to mark the calendar for Augustana hockey’s upcoming season.

On Tuesday, the Vikings announced the schedule for their 2025-26 season. The 34-game slate features 19 home games and 15 road games.

Following an exhibition game that has yet to be finalized, Augustana will open the regular season on Oct. 10-11 at Minnesota Duluth before returning to Midco Arena the following weekend for its home opener versus Arizona State.

For the Vikings, CCHA action begins the following weekend when they travel to face Bemidji State in a two-game series.

The Vikings will play on home ice throughout December and into the first weekend of January before conference action resumes in the second half of the season.

All four of Augustana’s non-conference series are against teams in the National Collegiate Hockey Conference.

The Vikings’ 2025-26 season is their first with a full league schedule. They’ll play in a total of 26 conference games this season.

In its second season as a program in 2024-25, Augustana had its first winning record in program history, finishing with an 18-13-4 mark. The Vikings had a 9-5-2 record in conference play, earning the No. 2 seed in the Mason Cup Playoffs. They were 9-6-2 at home and 9-7-2 away from Midco Arena.

Here’s a glance at Augustana’s 2025-26 schedule with further analyses.

• Bulldogs’ 2024-25 record: 13-20-3
• Analysis: This season-opening series marks the first time the two longtime Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference foes will meet on the ice. Last season, the Bulldogs finished 7-9-3 at Amsoil Arena. Scott Sandelin has been at the helm of the program since 2000 and has led UMD to three national titles, including back-to-back championships in 2018 and 2019. Forward Max Plante is one of the Bulldogs’ top returning players after notching 28 points (nine goals, 19 assists) as a freshman in 2024-25.

• Sun Devils’ 2024-25 record: 21-14-2
• Analysis: The Sun Devils will make the trip to Sioux Falls for the first time ever when the two teams meet in Augustana’s home opener. ASU and AU didn’t play against each other last season, but in the second half of Augustana’s inaugural season in 2023-24, they split a pair of games in Tempe after the Vikings were triumphant in a 5-4 decision in the series opener to notch the program’s first win against a nationally ranked team. Bennett Schimek heads into the 2025-26 campaign as the Sun Devils’ top returning point-getter. He will be a team captain this season after recording 37 points on 15 goals and 22 assists in 2024-25.

• Beavers’ 2024-25 record: 15-18-5
• Analysis: Augustana’s first CCHA series of the season will be against its most familiar league opponent. The Vikings are 3-4 all-time against BSU, which includes a series defeat in March in the first round of the Mason Cup Playoffs. Entering his 25th season at the helm of the program, Beavers coach Tom Serratore is now the current longest-tenured coach in the CCHA. Forward Kirklan Irey will be back for the Beavers after producing a team-best 24 points in 2024-25, including a team-leading 11 goals.

• Wildcats’ 2024-25 record: 5-27-2
• Analysis: Augustana is 3-0-1 in all-time meetings with the Wildcats. Last season, the Vikings claimed a pair of 4-1 victories at Midco Arena to sweep the season series. NMU finished in last place in the CCHA standings, missing the CCHA playoffs. Dave Shyiak returns for his second year as bench boss for the Wildcats, who were 3-11-2 on the road last season.

• Bulldogs’ 2024-25 record: 13-20-3
• Analysis: The Bulldogs will be in their first season under the direction of new coach Brett Riley, who replaces the legendary Bob Daniels. FSU leads the all-time series between the two teams, 3-1. In 2024-25, Augustana split a pair of games at FSU, winning the first game of the series in a 5-2 decision before losing 4-1 in the finale. The Bulldogs had a 6-8-3 mark at home last season.

• Tommies’ 2024-25 record: 19-14-5
• Analysis: Going into this one-off game, Augustana has a 3-1 record in the brief all-time series between the two programs. This will be UST’s final season as members of the CCHA. The Tommies are set to join the NCHC for the 2026-27 season. Led by coach Rico Blasi, UST had an 8-6-3 mark on the road a season ago.

• Lakers’ 2024-25 record: 12-22-2
• Analysis: Following a week off, the Vikings return to action Thanksgiving weekend when they travel to Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, to take on the Lakers. AU has a 3-1 all-time record against LSSU. Damon Whitten enters his 12th season at the helm of the Lakers’ program. LSSU was 4-10-1 last season at Taffy Abel Arena.

• Beavers’ 2024-25 record: 15-18-5
• Analysis: The Vikings will close out their regular season series with the Beavers on the first weekend of December when the two teams meet at Midco Arena for a two-game set. Last season, BSU won three of five games played between the two teams. All of them took place in Sioux Falls. The Beavers finished 9-10-3 in road contests last season.

• Mavericks’ 2024-25 record: 27-9-3
• Analysis: Augustana will be seeking its first official win against the Mavs when the top two teams from the 2024-25 CCHA regular season meet in December at Midco Arena. The Vikings are 0-3-1 in all-time matchups versus MSU. Luke Strand enters his third year as coach of the Mavericks, who won the league’s regular season and tournament titles last season. MSU was 10-4 in road games a season ago.

• Mavericks’ 2024-25 record: 18-17-1
• Analysis: The rivalry between the Mavs and Vikings carries on for another season. UNO will travel north up I-29 to play at Midco Arena for the first time ever. It’ll be the Vikings’ final series of the first half of the season. Augustana was swept by Omaha in its inaugural season, but in 2024-25, the Vikings traveled to Omaha and claimed a pair of nationally ranked wins. Mike Gabinet enters his 10th season as UNO’s bench boss. The Mavericks return one of the top goaltenders in the country in Simon Latkoczy, who notched a .922 save percentage in 31 appearances last season.

• Tigers’ 2024-25 record: 18-18-1
• Analysis: The Vikings will begin the new year against a CC program that has yet to beat them. Augustana has a 3-0 all-time record against the Tigers, including a sweep last season when CC was ranked No. 8 in the country. This will be the Tigers’ first trip to Sioux Falls. Kris Mayotte enters his fifth season as CC’s coach. The Tigers, who were 7-12-1 last season away from Colorado Springs, bring back their top forward in Owen Beckner, who tallied 27 points on seven goals and 20 helpers in 2024-25.

• Wildcats’ 2024-25 record: 5-27-2
• Analysis: After more than a month of playing in front of their home crowd, the Vikings will return to conference play when they travel to Marquette to take on the Wildcats. One of NMU’s top players in the fold for the 2025-26 season will be forward Caiden Gault, a Ferris State transfer. Gault generated 25 points on 10 goals and 15 assists last season with the Bulldogs.

• Bulldogs’ 2024-25 record: 13-20-3
• Analysis: Augustana will head back to Midco Arena for another conference tilt with FSU, which finished with a 6-10 mark in away games a season ago. The Bulldogs will welcome in forward Carter Rapalje, who had 30 points (17 goals, 13 assists) last season while playing under Riley at Long Island.

• Mavericks’ 2024-25 record: 27-9-3
• Analysis: Next up is one-off game in Mankato for the Vikings, who were swept last season at Mayo Clinic Health System Event Center. Goalie Alex Tracy will be back for MSU after being named CCHA Player of the Year in 2025. He was a finalist for the Mike Richter Award after going 26-9-3 between the pipes with a 1.42 goals-against average and .946 save percentage. MSU finished 17-4-3 at home in 2024-25.

• Lakers’ 2024-25 record: 12-22-2
• Analysis: The Vikings will close out their January slate with a home series against the Lakers. Augustana won 6-3 and 4-3 against LSSU in 2024-25 at Midco Arena. The Lakers, who finished 8-11-1 in road games last season, will bring back their top forward in Connor Milburn, who had 23 points on nine goals and 14 helpers.

• Huskies’ 2024-25 record: 16-17-3
• Analysis: AU will open its final month of the regular season by making a trek to the Upper Peninsula, where they’ll square off against the Huskies in Houghton. This will be the only regular season meeting between the two teams in 2025-26. MTU posted a 7-9 record at home last season and holds a 2-1-1 all-time record against the Vikings. Led by Joe Shawhan, who enters his ninth season as bench boss, the Huskies will bring back their top forward from 2024-25 in Stiven Sardarian, who had 35 points (11 goals, 24 assists).

• Falcons’ 2024-25 record: 18-14-4
• Analysis: In their final regular season series, AU will take on BGSU. Dennis Williams heads into his second year at the helm of the Falcons’ program. Augustana leads the all-time series, 3-0-1. Bowling Green was 8-9-1 a season ago on the road but expects to be a force in 2025-26. As it stands, the Falcons have the No. 1 recruiting class in the nation, according to

  Neutral Zone.

  Falcons forwards Ben Doran and Brody Waters each had 22 points last season, and both are expected to be back in the mix this season.

• Tommies’ 2024-25 record: 19-14-5
• Analysis: A tough test awaits the Vikings in their regular season finale when they travel to St. Paul for a series with the Tommies. It’ll be their first visit to Lee and Penny Anderson Arena, a $175 million facility that’s expected to open this year on UST’s campus. The Tommies will return one of the league’s top forwards in Lucas Wahlin, who recorded 41 points on 17 goals and 24 assists in 2024-25.

• Friday, Oct 10 | @ Minnesota Duluth
• Saturday, Oct. 11 | @ Minnesota Duluth
• Friday, Oct. 17 | vs. Arizona State
• Saturday, Oct. 18 | vs. Arizona State
• Friday, Oct. 24 | @ Bemidji State
• Saturday, Oct. 25 | @ Bemidji State
• Friday, Oct. 31 | vs. Northern Michigan
• Saturday, Nov. 1 | vs. Northern Michigan
• Friday, Nov. 7 | @ Ferris State
• Saturday, Nov. 8 | @ Ferris State
• Saturday, Nov. 15 | vs. St. Thomas
• Friday, Nov. 28 | @ Lake Superior State
• Saturday, Nov. 29 | @ Lake Superior State
• Friday, Dec. 5 | vs. Bemidji State
• Saturday, Dec. 6 | vs. Bemidji State
• Friday, Dec. 12 | vs. Minnesota State
• Saturday, Dec. 13 | vs. Minnesota State
• Friday, Dec. 19 | vs. Nebraska Omaha
• Saturday, Dec. 20 | vs. Nebraska Omaha
• Friday, Jan. 2 | vs. Colorado College
• Saturday, Jan. 3 | vs. Colorado College
• Friday, Jan. 9 | @ Northern Michigan
• Saturday, Jan. 10 | @ Northern Michigan
• Friday, Jan. 16 | vs. Ferris State
• Saturday, Jan. 17 | vs. Ferris State
• Saturday, Jan. 24 | @ Minnesota State
• Friday, Jan. 30 | vs. Lake Superior State
• Saturday, Jan. 31 | vs. Lake Superior State
• Friday, Feb. 6 | @ Michigan Tech
• Saturday, Feb. 7 | @ Michigan Tech
• Friday, Feb. 13 | vs. Bowling Green
• Saturday, Feb. 14 | vs. Bowling Green
• Friday, Feb. 20 | @ St. Thomas
• Saturday, Feb. 21 | @ St. Thomas

Trent Singer is a sports reporter for Sioux Falls Live. He focuses his coverage on Augustana men’s hockey and Sioux Falls area sports. Singer’s previous stops include Just Women’s Sports, the Southeast Missourian and the Kentucky New Era.

BLOOMINGTON, Minn. – Gustavus first-year Jimmy Abdo (Edina, Minn.) was named the MIAC Rookie of the Year and was joined by two teammates on the All-MIAC list when the conference announced its 2024-25 Men’s Golf Awards on Monday, May 12. 

Junior Chris Gutuza (second; Johannesburg, South Africa) and senior Teddy Kaste (t-sixth, Apple Valley, Minn.) achieved All-Conference distinction by placing in the top 10 at the MIAC Championship held Oct. 5-7.

The second Gustie to receive the MIAC’s rookie award, Abdo averaged 75.3 in 22 rounds this season – the third best mark on the team. He and his All-Conference teammates, as well as Jack Reinardy (Sr., Andover, Minn.), each collected a medalist finish this season. Abdo peaked in the spring, winning the Bobby Krig Invite on April 19, followed by a second-place finish at the Saint John’s Spring Invitational the following week. Abdo was selected as the MIAC Athlete of the Week for his performance at the Gusties’ home tournament, and shot a season-best round of 68 (-3) at SJU on April 27. 

The All-MIAC honor is the third-consecutive for Gutuza, the Gusties’ first Rookie of the Year in the 2022-23 season. Gutuza owned a team-best 74.1 scoring average this season with five top-10 finishes in 25 rounds. Gutuza won the prestigious Williams Invitational in the fall, took second at the MIAC Championship by three shots (was leading for first two rounds), and finished second in each the Bobby Krig and SJU Spring Invites.

Kaste averaged a 75.0 with five top-10 finishes in 25 rounds this season. The All-Conference honor is also the third-straight for Kaste, who opened the 2024-25 competition year with medalist honors at the Augsburg University Invitational in the fall, collecting MIAC Athlete of the Week honors the following Monday. He shot a season-low 68 (-3) in his final round of collegiate golf at Saint John’s (April 27). Kaste graduated with a career average of 76.1, two medalist honors, four top-five finishes, and 12 in the top 10.

In addition to the three All-MIAC selections, Pelay Perez Crespo (Jr., Sotogrande, Spain) was also an honorable mention selection. In his junior season, Perez Crespo averaged an even 76.0 in 25 rounds. Through 10 events, he collected a trio of top 10 finishes, and one in the top five (Bobby Krig Invite). 

The Gustavus men’s golf team won four tournaments in the 2024-25 season – the most since the 2012-13 season (5) – and placed in the top five of five others, including the 2024 MIAC Championship where the Gusties finished fifth of nine teams. Gustavus went 56-14 against MIAC competitors and recorded a scoring average of 298.6 in 29 rounds. 

 

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5/12/2025 11:14:35 AM

 

The UNLV ice hockey team had just pulled off its second Houdini act in as many days, and coach Anthony Vignieri-Greener was searching for a sign — any sign — that his players had enough gas in the tank for one more game.

Not just any 60-minute game, but one with everything on the line: history, legacy, immortality.

So following his team’s 5-2 come-from-behind victory over Liberty University in the semifinals of the 2024-25 American Collegiate Hockey Association Division I national tournament, Vignieri-Greener peered into the eyes of his players.

He liked what he saw.

“That’s when I told the coaching staff, ‘There’s no way we’re losing this next game,’” Vignieri-Greener recalls. “Maybe that was premature. But I could just see it in their eyes.”

Fast-forward some 24 hours, and Vignieri-Greener was watching his players circle the rink at the Centene Community Ice Center near St. Louis, Missouri, with the Murdoch Cup hoisted above their heads.

Nearly 20 years after the club program formed — and 10 years after Vignieri-Greener, himself a former UNLV player, took over as coach — the Skatin’ Rebels were national champions.

“To win something this big — nobody really understands how hard it is until you actually get there,” Vignieri-Greener says. “It was a long, long 10 years. But it was worth every second of it.”

Making it all the more special: UNLV’s 7-3 championship victory came against Adrian College, the Michigan liberal arts school that had defeated the Skatin’ Rebels 3-0 in the title game the previous year.

The Skate to a Rematch

While there were a few tense moments early on in this year’s finals, the stress was nothing like what UNLV endured in its previous two contests.

After coasting to a 6-2 victory over Arizona in their first game of the ACHA Division I tournament, the Skatin’ Rebels faced Maryville University in the quarterfinals. Trailing 2-0, UNLV finally got on the board early in the third period, buried the equalizer with 99 seconds left in the game, then found the net less than five minutes into overtime for a season-saving 3-2 win.

The Skatin’ Rebels returned the next day for a semifinal matchup against Liberty University, and again, they found themselves down 2-0 entering the final period.

Then came the onslaught: five goals in the final 10 minutes. When the final horn sounded, UNLV had secured a 5-2 win and a much-desired rematch against Adrian College.

The team’s mindset heading into the title game?

“For us returners, it was like, ‘This can’t happen two years in a row. They can’t go back-to-back on us. That can’t be our legacy — the team that could get close but couldn’t get over the line,’” says senior defenseman and team captain Mattias Dal Monte. “Playing the same opponent, it definitely added extra juice.”

Vignieri-Greener — who had 96 goals and 169 assists in four years as a player at UNLV from 2006-10 — leaned on some personal experience in his pregame speech.

“I truly believe the tightest and closest teams will go the furthest, and that’s what I relayed to the guys,” he says. “I told them, ‘Listen, I’ve been doing this a long time, and the closer a group is, the farther it will go. And without a doubt, this is the closest group we’ve ever had. So go win a national championship.’”

In doing just that, UNLV capped an incredible season that saw the team post an eye-popping 30-2-3 record and achieve all four of its preseason goals: Win the Western Collegiate Hockey League championship for the first time in program history; defeat an NCAA Division I opponent for the first time; earn a top-four seed in the ACHA tournament; and win the Murdoch Cup, the trophy that goes to the tournament champ.

 

 

A Big Bragging Right

While the national title obviously sat atop the wish list, it arguably ranked second in terms of the season’s most difficult tasks, because on Dec. 28, UNLV — which competes at the highest level of non-NCAA-sanctioned collegiate club hockey — traveled to Colorado for an “exhibition” game against the University of Denver.

The same University of Denver that has won 10 NCAA Division I hockey championships, including the 2023-24 crown.

Two years prior, the Pioneers hosted the Rebels and rolled to a 10-0 victory. This time? UNLV skated into the reigning champ’s arena and stunned the 7,000 fans in attendance by scoring a program-defining — and confidence-boosting — 7-6 overtime victory.

“After that game, we could’ve fallen into the mindset of, ‘Oh, we just beat the defending NCAA Division I national champions; the rest of our games and winning our national championship wouldn’t matter as much,’” says sophomore forward Heath Mensch, who grew up in Las Vegas. “But we stuck to our plan and had the mentality of, ‘Well, we beat them. Now we need to go out and show that we’re legit and clearly the best team in the ACHA.’”

Mission accomplished — thanks in no small part to Mensch, who scored the game-winning goal in the comeback victory over Liberty in the ACHA tournament semifinals.

Following their title-clinching victory over Adrian College on March 18, UNLV’s latest national champions returned home to a hero’s welcome. In addition to celebrations on campus and around the community, the team was honored by Southern Nevada’s two professional hockey franchises: the Henderson Silver Knights and their parent club, the NHL’s Vegas Golden Knights.

The Silver Knights and Golden Knights each held a brief in-game ceremony recognizing UNLV’s accomplishment. During each game, the players cruised around the arena concourses with the Murdoch Cup.

“That was amazing,” Dal Monte says. “It was endless high-fives and congratulations from fans. It was really cool to see the broader hockey community in the desert showing love to us like that. That was a special night.”

For a special, one-of-a-kind team.