Thomas Van Alstine scored his first goal in over a year after returning from a study abroad assignment last spring as Monmouth clipped Augustana 8-7 Tuesday night at April Zorn Memorial Stadium in the season opener for both teams. Garrett Cranford opened the Scots' scoring, punching in a man-down goal at the 13:42 mark of the first quarter, but the Vikings countered minutes later to draw even. Augustana then took the first quarter lead, slipping in a score with less than a second left in the opening frame for a 2-1 advantage. Van Alstine and Jeff Knapp opened the second period scoring goals a minute apart to regain a Monmouth edge, but the Vikings rallied with three straight goals and looked as if they would take a 5-3 lead into the half. The two-goal lead didn't last when Chase Cranford scored with 2:12 left in the first half, leaving the Scots trailing by one at the break. Augustana ruled the third quarter, firing off 11 shots to Monmouth's four, but Van Alstine took advantage of the limited opportunities to score his second goal of the game, drawing Monmouth event at 5-5. The Scots ripped off three unanswered goals in the fourth period, the first a blast from Shane Herkert less than three minutes into the frame. Knapp followed with his second goal before Chase Cranford found Joe Incorvati for what proved to be the game-winner. Incorvati's score at the 4:17 mark gave Monmouth an 8-5 lead, but the Vikings weren't done. A goal one minute later pulled Augustana to 8-6. Another Viking goal – this one with 1:07 to play – threatened to set up overtime, but the Scots' defense held over the final minute to give the Scots the win and earn freshman goalkeeper Teagan Simons a 19-save win in his collegiate debut. Monmouth travels to Clarke next Tuesday for a 5:30 p.m. contest.