ARDEN HILLS, Minn. – First-half goals from sophomores Will Douglas and Thierno Gueye helped the St. Olaf College men's soccer team to a 2-0 victory at Bethel University in its Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) opener on Wednesday afternoon at Ona Orth Complex.

Douglas and Gueye each scored their second goals of the season for St. Olaf (2-3, 1-0 MIAC), with sophomore Olaf Morkeberg assisting on both goals. Senior Ben Westermeyer kept Bethel (2-4, 0-1 MIAC) off the board with a five-save shutout, his first of the season.

In the 15th minute, Douglas broke the deadlock, one-timing the ball into the lower-right corner of the goal following a cross from Morkeberg from the right wing. Morkeberg again provided the assist on Gueye's 33rd-minute goal, setting up Gueye for a left-footed shot to give the Oles a 2-0 lead going into the half.

Just moments before Gueye doubled the Oles' lead, Brendan Reich nearly tied the game at 1-1, but saw his shot come back off the far post. Reich's chance was the closest the Royals came to getting the ball past Westermeyer. After coming off his line, Westermeyer also made a diving stop to deny Garrett Ferguson inside the final two minutes to preserve the shutout.

St. Olaf outshot Bethel by a 15-10 margin in the game, including an 8-3 advantage before the half.

The victory improved St. Olaf to 33-10-3 all-time in the series with Bethel, as the Oles avenged a 1-0 loss to the Royals last season at Rolf Mellby Field.

St. Olaf is back to action Saturday, Sept. 15 as they host Saint Mary's University (Minn.) in a MIAC contest at 3:30 p.m. at Rolf Mellby Field.