NORTHFIELD, Minn. – The regionally-ranked St. Olaf College women's soccer team posted its 10th shutout in 14 games this season with a 3-0 win over Augsburg University on Saturday afternoon at Rolf Mellby Field.

St. Olaf (10-2-2, 5-2-1) got a goal in the opening minute from sophomore Emily Johnson, which was all the Oles needed to blank Augsburg (6-4-5, 2-2-5 MIAC) and remain fourth in the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) standings. Juniors Marit Klagge and Megan Timmerman also found the back of the net for St. Olaf, which improved to 5-1-1 at home this season with the win. St. Olaf was ranked No. 7 in this week's United Soccer Coaches Region IX poll.

Just 40 seconds in, the Oles got on the board when Johnson fired the ball home off a right-wing cross from junior Clara Kubis for Johnson's fifth goal of the season. The goal was the earliest to start a game for St. Olaf since K.C. Beed scored 27 seconds into the Oles' 5-2 victory at Gustavus Adolphus College on Oct. 2, 2010.

St. Olaf proceeded to double its lead before halftime when Klagge tallied her fourth goal of the season in the 35th minute. Fellow junior Abbie Manhard played a ball over the top of the Augsburg back line that Klagge raced onto and lofted over the onrushing goalkeeper to put the Oles up 2-0 at the half.

Timmerman gave St. Olaf further insurance in the 73rd minute by turning the ball home from close range after the Auggies could not clear a corner by junior Cat Duffy-Shaw. The assist on Timmernan's third goal of the season was Duffy-Shaw's team-leading fourth this fall.

First year Ava Williams collected her third shutout in her first four collegiate starts with a three-save afternoon, while Claire Smother had five saves in the loss for the visitors. St. Olaf outshot Augsburg by a 13-6 margin overall and an 8-4 count on goal.

The Oles will continue their pursuit of a playoff spot with a trip to Gustavus Adolphus College for a 3:30 p.m. kickoff on Tuesday, Oct. 22.