NORTHFIELD, Minn. – The top-seeded and fourth-ranked St. Olaf College men's soccer team scored three second-half goals to return to the championship game of the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) Playoffs with a 3-1 victory over sixth-seeded Saint John's University on Thursday afternoon at Rolf Mellby Field.

After a scoreless first half, sophomore Riker Doolittle, sophomore Ryan Wilson, and junior Ryan Bechtel scored in the span of 22 minutes in the second half to lift St. Olaf (16-1-3) past Saint John's (13-5-3) and into the championship game. The Oles were ranked No. 4 in the country and No. 2 in Region IX in this week's United Soccer Coaches rankings, while the Johnnies came in at No. 7 in the region.

With the victory, St. Olaf advanced to the title game for the fifth consecutive season and the eighth time overall (2007, 2011, 2015, 2021-25), while also remaining unbeaten at home this season (9-0-2), and extending its unbeaten streak to 16 games (14-0-2). The Oles will host second-seeded Macalester College for the conference's automatic bid into the NCAA Tournament at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 8 after the Scots edged fourth-seeded Gustavus Adolphus College, 2-1, in the other semifinal.

Neither team managed to created many clear-cut scoring changes in the opening half, as the game remained scoreless until Doolittle broke the deadlock in the 62nd minute. First year Tustin Todd set up the goal by swinging in a right-footed cross from the left that Doolittle headed in at the far post for his fifth goal of the season.

Todd was again the creator of St. Olaf's second goal in the 78th minute, as the first year cut the ball back to Wilson, who looped the ball inside the far post with his left foot for his fourth goal of the season. Todd's two assists brought his total to seven on the season.

Bechtel gave the Oles more insurance in the 83rd minute while getting into double figures on the season in goals. Sophomore Lucas Montera took a quick free quick short to Bechtel, who unleashed a left-footed drive into the lower-left corner from the right side to make it 3-0.

Saint John's got a late consolation goal from Eli Ryan, who headed in a corner kick from Noah Hermanson in the 89th minute to get the Johnnies on the board.

St. Olaf owned a 16-9 advantage in shots in the game, although the difference in shots on goal was just 8-6. Saint John's enjoyed a 10-4 edged in corner kicks. Senior Jack Hobday made five saves while collecting his 10th victory of the season (10-1-1), while Cole Hanson had five saves of his own for the visitors.