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Roman Augustoviz

Copy editor | Sports
Phone: 612-673-4451
Roman Augustoviz has been on the sports copy desk since October 2012. Before that he covered Gophers' men hockey and Lynx women's basketball for five years. Going even further back, he was involved with high school sports, as a team leader and reporter, for 20 years.
Recent content from Roman Augustoviz
Chloe Evans batted .318 for the Gophers this year with 11 home runs and a team-high 46 RBI.

Gophers softball: Three reasons for hope, three reasons for concern

Piper Ritter's team reached the NCAA tournament, overcoming the 11th-toughest schedule in the nation, but finished 27-26-1.
Gophers forward Audrey Wethington scored the first goal in her team’s 4-0 win over St. Thomas on Friday night in a WCHA playoff game.

U women's hockey works hard for goals in playoff victory over St. Thomas

Minnesota led only 1-0 until scoring twice in the final 10 minutes of the second period. Taylor Heise and Abigail Boreen, the team's top two scorers, got those big goals.
Minnesota defenseman Jackson Lacombe (2), above looking to pass vs. Wisconsin, got the game-winner against Penn State on Saturday.

Gophers men's hockey overcomes 3-0 deficit to sweep at Penn State

Minnesota got three goals in the second and three more in the third to catch and pass the Nittany Lions.
Gophers forward Taylor Heise took the puck around St. Thomas defenseman Megan Cornell in the first period of a game last month.

Gophers women's hockey routs St. Thomas

The No. 1-ranked Gophers moved closer to a WCHA title led by Taylor Heise's two goals and two assists.
Minnesota forward Catie Skaja, above vs. St. Thomas, had two goals Saturday in a 5-1 win over St. Cloud State,

Gophers women's hockey sweeps St. Cloud State

Norcross, a senior transfer from Boston College, tipped in a shot for the tiebreaking goal late in the second period.
Gopher pitcher Autumn Pease is ranked No. 85 in Extra Innings Softball’s list of the nation’s top 100 players.

Ten things to know about the 2022 Gophers softball team

The Gophers open their season with games on Friday against No. 12 Georgia and Central Florida. Here's a look at what fans can expect from the 2022 team.
Gophers forward Emily Oden (21) and wing Peyton Hemp (15) celebrate with forward Addie Burton (26) after she scored a goal on Jan. 22

Gophers women's hockey routs Bemidji State, moves into first place

Minnesota defeated Bemidji State for the 13th time in a row, led by freshman Peyton Hemp's two goals.
Gophers forward Bryce Brodzinski, above vs. St. Thomas last month, got his 11th goal of the season against Notre Dame. It tied the score at 2-all.

Gophers men's hockey loses to Notre Dame in overtime

Landon Slaggert scored for the Fighting Irish 32 seconds into the extra period.
Gophers forward Taylor Heise, in an earlier game against Wisconsin above, had two goals Saturday in Minnesota’s 5-3 win over Ohio State.

Heise's two goals lead Gophers women's hockey over Ohio State

Senior forward Taylor Heise scored her 19th and 20th goals as Minnesota ended a six-game losing streak to the Buckeyes.
Sylvia Fowles had her path to the rim blocked by Seattle’s Breanna Stewart during the first quarter

Seattle wins 82-72 to keep Lynx winless

The Lynx are off to an 0-4 start after two straight losses to the Storm.
Redshirt senior Bethany Hasz is one of 36 Gophers competing at the West and East Preliminary.

One of the biggest weekends for NCAA track and field is loaded with local talent

All three division of NCAA track and field are competing in major tournaments this weekend, and local schools and athletes are represented at every level.
Gophers second baseman MaKenna Partain (3) congratulated pitcher Amber Fiser (13) during the 2019 season.

Amber Fiser and then who? Gophers softball position-by-position breakdown

The Gophers open a new season Friday against Maryland and have intriguing players all over the diamond.
Amber Fiser

Gophers softball in elite weekend tournament: Five things to know

The Gophers, who went 3-2 on their opening weekend, play No. 16 Oklahoma State (2-2) and No. 5 Florida State (5-0) at 10:30 a.m. and 5 p.m.

Gophers baseball, picked as third-best in Big Ten, will lean on infield, veterans

Season starts Friday afternoon.
The 1909 St. Paul Colored Gophers, from"They Played for the Love of the Game."

Review: 'They Played for the Love of the Game,' by Frank M. White

NONFICTION: This comprehensive book by the son of a baseball catcher details the lives and careers of black ballplayers in Minnesota before and after big-league integration.
Dr. Bennet Omalu at the premiere of the movie “Concussion.”

Review: 'Concussion,' by Jeanne Marie Laskas

NONFICTION: The dramatic story of the Nigerian doctor who made the connection between professional football and dangerous brain injuries.
Review: 'Billion-Dollar Ball,' by Gilbert M. Gaul; big money in college football

Review: 'Billion-Dollar Ball,' by Gilbert M. Gaul; big money in college football

NONFICTION: Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter Gilbert M. Gaul examines the economics of top college football programs.
Minnesota Twins' outfielder Tony Oliva is pictured, March 1968.

In spring, a fan's attention turns to thoughts of baseball

Just in time for baseball and its early-season optimism are two books with local subjects.
St. John's Trevor Warner is tackled by Gustavus Adolphus' Brian Grundmeyer.

Young, old mesh well in Johnnies victory

A freshman quarterback led St. John's to victory in perhaps coach John Gagliardi's last home game.
Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve.

Lynx left to ponder what went wrong and how to fix it

Wait until next season. Coach Cheryl Reeve essentially said as much Sunday.
Seimone Augustus sits dejected in the closing minutes of the game against the Indiana Fever during Game 4 of the WNBA Finals

Case of Fever finishes off Lynx' attempt to repeat

Seimone Augustus had a nightmarish shooting night. The first team All-WNBA guard was three of 21 and finished with just eight points.
Lynx center Taj McWilliams-Franklin ran past her teammates as they formed the paddle line to celebrate her 42nd birthday Saturday in Indianapolis.

Lynx ready to move on in unusual role of underdog

Friday's drubbing didn't keep the team from celebrating Mama Taj's 42nd birthday. Sunday brings a new battle.
Lynx star Seimone Augustus ran into Indiana's Tamika Catchings during the third quarter of Friday's Game 3 of the WNBA Finals, a Fever blowout.

Lynx get stopped cold in blowout loss

Indiana's Shavonte Zellous joined Tamika Catchings in pestering Minnesota at every chance.
Minnesota Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve on Friday.

Reeve on Fever coach: 'We don't answer to her'

Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve said on Friday she likes Indiana -- she coached at Indiana State once. But her relationship with the coach of the state's WNBA team is strained at best.
Monica Wright, hugging the floor and her opponent, had a big impact Wednesday with her defensive pressure against Indiana.

Wright helped steal one for Lynx

Stat sheet doesn't chart impact of the backup guard's quick feet and hands.
Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve tossed her jacket and threw a fit when she was slapped with a technical in the second half. Taj McWilliams-Franklin’s interv

Lynx get mad -- and even Finals series 1-1

The Lynx matched the Fever blow for blow, then rode their stars to a Game 2 victory.
Seimone Augustus

Augustus not about to back down

Seimone Augustus knows she will have to be one of the Lynx's best players if they are to come back from their Game 1 loss to the Fever.
Maya Moore collided with Lynx assistant coach Jim Peterson on the sideline as she chased a loose ball late in Sunday’s game at Target Center. The Ly

Fever's Douglas still doubtful for Game 2

The Indiana star is trying to come back from a sprained ankle that kept her in Indianapolis for Game 1.
Lindsay Whalen and Rebekkah Brunson left the Target Center court spent — and down 1-0 in the Finals.

Icy finish costly to Lynx in WNBA Finals opening loss

When the offense hit a wall in the final period, Tamika Catchings and Erlana Larkins fueled a timely Fever surge.
Fans waved their towels along with w big picture of Rebekkah Brunson in the first half of game one of the Western conference finals at the Target Cent

Lynx reap rewards of on-court success

As the WNBA saw the lowest average attendance ever, the Lynx were second in attendance and tops in merchandise sales.
Rebekkah Brunson celebrated with Taj McWilliams-Franklin.

Milestones continue for Mama Taj

The 14-year veteran, who will be an assistant at Rice this offseason, hasn't decided if she will play again.
Lynx point guard Lindsay Whalen drove to the basket past Los Angeles' Jenna O'Hea.

Final preparation for WNBA Finals can begin

  Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve said her team got back to worrying about itself -- "which we haven't done in a very long time" --…
Seimone Augustus.

Profiling accusation fuss is quieting down for Augustus

Seimone Augustus' traffic stop caused furor for player and police in Roseville, but now it's resolved.
Lynx players celebrate their team's 80-79 win after Game 2 of the WNBA basketball Western Conference Finals against the Los Angeles Sparks.

Lynx's mini-break is over

After two days off, the Western Conference champion Lynx will return to practice on Wednesday morning and concentrate on their strengths.
The Lynx’s Monice Wright, top, found herself open for a three-pointer with just over one minute to play in Sunday’s Game 2 of the Western Conferen

Right spot, Wright time for Lynx' game-winning shot

Lynx guard Monica Wright hit the game-winning three-pointer to close out the Western Conference semifinals series against the Los Angeles Sparks.
Rebekkah Brunson blocked the shot of of the Storm's Sue Bird.

Rebound machine Rebekkah Brunson keeps on chugging

A relentless post player with three double-doubles in the playoffs, Rebekkah Brunson is set to "get done what we have to get done."
Taj McWilliams-Franklin helped up teammate Lindsay Whalen after she hit the deck going after a loose ball in the second quarter of Game 3 in the Weste

Coach applauds Whalen for playing through pain

She had 12 points, three assists, two rebounds and one steal, with only one turnover in Game . "I just love the courage that she plays with," coach Cheryl Reeve said.
Candice Wiggins celebrated after taking a big lead during the second quarter.

Lynx dominate Los Angeles in playoff series opener

With typical home-court hospitality, the Lynx started hot and buried L.A. to grab a series lead.
Lynx and Sparks: Scoring machines collide tonight

Lynx and Sparks: Scoring machines collide tonight

The Lynx and Sparks fill up the basket, so defense might decide which team goes to the WNBA Finals.
Maya Moore celebrated after the time ticked off the clock.

Lynx survive the Storm's Game 3 scare

The Lynx held their collective breath until Seattle's last-second shot missed, allowing them to advance.
Seimone Augustus went up for a shot during Tuesday's shootaround at Target Center.

Win or else: Lynx facing elimination game tonight

Sure, they want to win another WNBA title, but for now they hope to match last season's success in Game 3 of the opening round.
Guard Lindsay Whalen topped the Lyynx in assists with six and led all scorers with 20 points Friday.

Grit gives Lynx a Game 1 grip

The Lynx's first playoff victory wasn't always pretty, but it showcased their teamwork and perseverance.
Lynx stars Maya Moore, Seimone Augustus and Rebekkah Brunson celebrated after Moore blocked a shot by former Lynx star Katie Smith during the second h

Lynx victory in opener proves no easy thing

Seimone Augustus came out scoring in the third to change the pace for her struggling team. Game 2 of series is Sunday.
Devereaux Peters, the first-round draft pick, No. 3 overall, for the defending WNBA champion Lynx, shares a laugh with teammate Brittany Rayburn, left

Lynx's Peters to play significant role in her first time through postseason

The Notre Dame rookie has become the first post player off the bench.
Maya Moore glides to the basket over France players during Team USA's gold gedal basketball game during the 2012 Summer Olympic Games in London.

Maya Moore: Facing the world -- and better for it

Maya Moore's Olympic team success fueled an explosive second half that the Lynx hope carries over into the WNBA's postseason.
Gophers freshman Connor Reilly, seen here in a high school game playing for Holy Angels.

Lucia says little about hockey recruit's injury at party

Incoming freshman Connor Reilly "fell awkwardly" Saturday at a team party and hurt his right knee.
The Lynx's Maya Moore was blocked by Indiana's Erin Phillips as she grabbed for a pass in the second quarter.

Lynx get primed for success

The Lynx appear ready for another long playoff run after rallying to improve to 16-1 at home.
Minnesota's Nick Bjugstad (27)

Bjugstad bolsters U hockey prospects

The Gophers' top goal-scorer from last season will delay his shot at the NHL to return to school for his junior season.
Minnesota Lynx vs. Connecticut Sun basketball. Lynx lost their first home game of the season 86-80. Lynx players watched from their bench as the final

Lynx's late rally can't stop Sun

East leader Connecticut handed the WNBA champs their third consecutive loss and first of the year at home.
Connecticut Sun's Danielle McCray, left, is pressured by Minnesota Lynx' Lindsay Whalen during the second half of a WNBA basketball game in Uncasville

Whalen trade leaves Lynx, Sun thriving

The 2010 deal brought Lindsay Whalen home and allowed her former team to rebuild into a contender.
Lynx reserves Candice Wiggins, left, and Devereaux Peters tried to strip the ball from New York's Alex Montgomery after she grabbed a third-quarter re

Rookie Peters has big night for Lynx in 32-point win

The rookie took everything New York could dole out and scored 18 points in a 32-point rout.
The Lynx's Monica Wright dribbled past Seattle's Victoria Dunlap during Minnesota's 79-55 rout of the Storm at Target Center on Wednesday night..

Lynx display depth, go to 8-0

Seimone Augustus sat out because of an injury, but others stepped up to crush the Storm.
The Lynx's Maya Moore drove against San Antonio's Shenise Johnson.

Lynx hang on -- again

Not lost on the 7-0 Lynx was their second game in a row of frittering away a lead of 20 or more points.
Gophers junior Jack Szmanda set personal bests in half of his 10 decathlon events at the Big Ten track and field meet last month and scored 7,862 poin

For U decathlete, risk has reward

The Gophers' Jack Szmanda has progressed from breaking bones to breaking records as he prepares to compete in the NCAA track meet.
Lynx guard Monica Wright will have plenty of family on hand Wednesday when the Lynx play in Washington.

Lynx's Wright, dad glad to be back to being a team

Father of the third-year guard suffered a heart attack last summer.
Maya Moore of the Lynx looked to make a move on the Storm's Tanisha Wright in the third quarter.

Lynx win fourth straight, dismiss Storm with few worries

The team's new court was a perfect backdrop for Maya Moore to burn Seattle with three-pointers.
Los Angeles' Kristi Toliver went up for a shot against the Lynx's Lindsay Whalen.

Lynx rally against L.A., stay perfect

Seimone Augustus scored a game-high 25 points and made a key three-point basket down the stretch.
Minnesota's Maya Moore scored over Phoenix's DeWanna Bonner during Sunday's WNBA game.

Lynx roll in opener; Augustus bruises ribs

The defending champ Lynx rode depth to a rout in the opener, and an injury concern faded, too.
Minnesota Lynx Taj McWilliams-Franklin was greeted with a hug by teammate Seimone Augustus and Rebekkah Brunson during media day for the championship

'Mama' likes days like this

Taj McWilliams-Franklin begins her 14th season, still striving to improve her veteran game.
From the left, Lynx players Maya Moore, Seimone Augustus, Taj McWilliams-Franklin and Lindsay Whalen couldn’t stop laughing during a photo shoot for

Lynx come out smiles ahead

The Lynx begin their title defense with reason to be upbeat again.
Chicago Sky's Ticha Penicheiro was double teamed by new Lynx players Queralt Casas, left, and Devereaux Peter during an exhibition game at the Univers

WNBA vet wants to show champs what she can do

This past offseason, guard Erin Thorn was an unrestricted free agent, meaning the nine-year WNBA veteran could sign with any team.
From left: Gophers runners Kylie Peterson, Chimerem Okoroji, Nyoka Giles and Todea-Kay Willis are trying to build on last year’s success in the 400

U foursome deep in speed, sacrifice

The Gophers women's 400-meter relay team has forged a unique bond on the track, overcoming physical and personal hardships.
Ex-Gopher Lindsay Whalen is back with the Lynx after playing overseas. She’ll be 30 Wednesday.

Whalen & Co. on Lynx ready to defend WNBA title

Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve said having the point guard back on the floor makes practice better for everyone.
Maya Moore, left, with Lynx teammates Seimone Augustus, Taj McWilliams-Franklin and Lindsay Whalen.

Moore returns to Lynx as more aggressive player

After playing in Spain over the offseason, last year's WNBA Rookie of the Year developed stronger moves to get to the basket.
The Gophers softball team warmed up during practice. Despite their power-hitting prowess, their chances for an NCAA bid are slim.

Gophers aren't longing for long ball

A team-record 46 homers have helped the once-overmatched Minnesota softball team become competitive once again.
Siebert Field, long in decline, will host its final baseball game Tuesday night. A new ballpark for the Gophers is on the way.

Gophers thrilled to be out at home

Baseball coach John Anderson's long campaign for a new university ballpark appears about to pay off.
Rookie Devereaux Peters huddled with Lynx players Sunday during a break in drills on the opening day oft training camp. Peters said of her offseason c

Lynx rookie Peters ready for her play to answer questions

Even Devereaux Peters was surprised at going No. 3 in the WNBA draft, but the team believes she will mesh well.
Devereaux Peters, left

All eyes on Lynx draft picks

With most of last year's team still overseas, coach and staff can focus on the newcomers.
Notre Dame's Devereaux Peters, left, with WNBA President Laurel J. Richie.

WNBA draft: Lynx add winner with team-first attitude

Devereaux Peters reached the NCAA title game the past two seasons with Notre Dame.
Roger Griffith (with coach Cheryl Reeve): The Lynx executive vice president likes his roster but said the draft could provide role players.

Lynx have six picks, few spots to fill

The No. 3 overall choice today is likely to stick, while later selections might draw interest from other teams.
Boston College’s Steven Whitney celebrated after scoring a goal in the first period Saturday as Ferris State goalie Taylor Nelson and Derek Graham l

Boston College streaks its way to Frozen Four title

The Eagles ended the season with their 19th victory in a row, winning their third NCAA title in five years.
UMD's Jack Connolly

UMD's Connolly wins Hobey Baker

Senior center Jack Connolly of Minnesota Duluth was named the winner of the Hobey Baker Award, given to the top player in Division I college hockey, on Friday.
Coach Don Lucia’s Gophers ended a three-year NCAA tournament drought by advancing to the Frozen Four. The bulk of the team is slated to return, alth

U hockey positioned for more success in 2013

Though the U will have a new starter in goal, it has the returning talent to remain among the nation's elite.

As Gophers make exit, Lucia reflects on season

TAMPA, FLA. - Gophers coach Don Lucia said there are five great things a college hockey team can accomplish during a season.
Boston College goalie Parker Milner (35) did not allow a goal in the first period.

Gophers suffer Boston beaning at Frozen Four

While Boston College piled on the goals, the Gophers were stymied by Eagles goalie Parker Milner.