Covering sports for me is a job. I love it, but it still is a job. However, there are times where you see something happen in sports that makes you forget it's a job and you are able to relish in the successes of someone or a team on the field.

Over the last year or so, the Augustana Women's Soccer team has broadened my horizons on soccer and ultimately brought me in as a part of the team, including allowing me to guest coach a game in 2013 and helping me complete the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge.

Brandon Barkus their head coach, took over the Augustana Womens Soccer program at its lowest point and now has helped them reach their highest.

The team is now 5-1 overall and 3-0 in the NSIC. Plus, the moment for me that made me so proud of Brandon and his program came with the release of the latest National Soccer Coaches Association poll that has the Vikings ranked #24 in the country!

I am personally so very proud of this group and their head coach Brandon Barkus and the entire Sioux Empire should as well. It's a real life example of how hard work, determination and great people can make really neat things happen.

Read more below...

KANSAS CITY, Kan.- The Augustana soccer team made its first-ever appearance in the National Soccer Coaches Assocation of America Top 25 Poll on Tuesday.The Vikings debuted at the No. 24 spot, one of just two Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference teams in the poll with second-ranked Minnesota State being the other.Augustana leaped past Winona State after upsetting the then-10th-ranked Warriors 1-0 at Morstad Field last Sunday.

Saint Rose held on to its number one ranking. Rounding out the top five were the Mavericks, California State Stanislaus, Grand Valley State, and the Colorado School of Mines.

The Vikings return to the pitch for two road NSIC games this upcoming weekend. First up, a matchup with Minnesota State Moorhead on Saturday. Augustana closes out the trip on Sunday with a game against Northern State.

---GoAugie.com---

** YOU CAN EMAIL JEFF THURN AT JT@ESPN991.COM AND FOLLOW HIM ON TWITTER @JTESPN991

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