NORTHFIELD, Minn. – The regionally-ranked St. Olaf College women's soccer team kept pace atop the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) standings and recorded its sixth shutout in a row with a 2-0 victory over Bethel University on Saturday afternoon at Rolf Mellby Field.

St. Olaf (11-1-1, 5-0-1 MIAC) got first-half goals from senior Marit Klagge and junior Emily Johnson on its way to topping Bethel (1-11-1, 1-5-0 MIAC) to stay in a tie for first in the MIAC standings with Carleton College. The win moved the Oles to 10-0-1 in their last 11 games while continuing the program's best-ever start to a season.

The shutout was the sixth in a row for St. Olaf, which was ranked No. 5 in this week's United Soccer Coaches Region IX Poll, a feat last accomplished by the Oles from Sept. 11-27, 2011. St. Olaf's shutout streak stands at 624:11, which is the longest in recorded program history.

Klagge gave the Oles the only goal they would need in the 14th minute by heading in a cross from junior Roxanne Rundle from the left for the senior's fourth goal in the last five games. Senior Cat Duffy-Shaw also earned an assist on the goal to take sole possession of first place in recorded program history with 19 career assists.

Later in the half, Johnson doubled St. Olaf's lead by dribbling through traffic in the box and slotting the ball inside the right post for the junior's 10th goal in the last nine games. Johnson's 12 goals this season are tied for the most in the MIAC and rank in the top 15 nationally.

Despite outshooting Bethel by a 32-5 margin for the game, the Oles were unable to add to their 2-0 lead. Abby Wright made seven saves in net for the Royals, while first year Charlotte Percy did not face a shot on frame in the game.

St. Olaf will visit Saint Mary's University for a 4 p.m. kickoff on Tuesday, Oct. 14.