NORTHFIELD, Minn. – The regionally-ranked St. Olaf College men's soccer team snapped a two-game home skid with a 3-0 non-conference victory over Bethany Lutheran College on Friday afternoon at Rolf Mellby Field.

Senior Shea Bechtel, first year Charlie Piller, and sophomore Abdirasak Bulale tallied goals in the win for St. Olaf (3-3-0), which had lost its last two home games after going 29-3-4 in its previous 36 games at Rolf Mellby Field since the start of 2021. The Oles have won each of the last 16 meetings with Bethany Lutheran (1-4-0) since 1986. St. Olaf was ranked No. 4 in this week's initial United Soccer Coaches Region IX Poll.

After breaking the program's career points record earlier in the week, Bechtel got the Oles off to a quick start with a sixth-minute goal. Sophomore Ryan Bechtel launched a long throw-in into the box that junior Caspar Olseth headed to the elder Bechtel, who headed it in from close range. The goal was the 31st of Shea Bechtel's career, moving him into a four-way tie for fifth place in program history.

Shortly before halftime, St. Olaf doubled its lead on Piller's first goal as an Ole, as the first year sent a one-time shot from the top of the box to the lower-right corner off a corner kick by junior Dimitri Nair. Nair's assist was his second in as many games. St. Olaf took a 2-0 lead into the halftime break after outshooting the visitors by a 10-2 margin.

Bulale netted his team-leading third goal of the season 15 minutes into the second half for the lone goal after the interval. After getting the ball near midfield, the sophomore drove up the left side, cut infield in the box, and unleashed a shot that flew in under the crossbar.

The final shot count was 17-5 in favor of St. Olaf, which took all nine of the game's shots on goal. Senior Peter Forseth did not need to make a save in picking up the 16th shutout of his career while becoming the fourth goalkeeper in program history to earn 30 victories.

The Oles will be back in action on Tuesday, Sept. 17 in their Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) opener at Bethel University at 4 p.m.