Saint John's soccer hosts Bethel for a 4 p.m. game on Wednesday, Oct. 12, at Haws Field. – Live Stats/Live Video

A LOOK AT THE JOHNNIES: Saint John's (5-2-3, 2-2-1 MIAC) dropped a 3-1 decision at St. Olaf in a battle of regionally ranked teams on Sunday (Oct. 9) in Northfield. SJU entered the game No. 6, and the Oles at No. 7, in the Region IX poll released by United Soccer Coaches last Tuesday (Oct. 4).

Victor Gaulmin gave STO an early 1-0 lead 7:33 into the game, but senior forward Ryan Erickson (Inver Grove Heights, Minn./Eagan) tied the game in the 18th minute. Sophomore defender Joe Pearson (St. Cloud, Minn./Tech) sent a cross into the middle of the box, where it pin-balled around until an Ole attempt to clear it went directly to Erickson at the top of the box. The senior blasted a shot to the top-right corner for his first goal of the season and seventh of his career.

Gaulmin scored the go-ahead goal with 6:53 left in the first half and Casey McCloskey added an insurance goal 6:23 after halftime.

Senior goalkeeper Evan Siefken (Lakeville, Minn./North) made four saves in the loss.

The Oles posted a 15-9 (7-4 on net) edge in shots and a slim 8-6 advantage in corner kicks.

REGIONAL RANKINGS: SJU slipped one spot to No. 7 in the latest Region IX poll posted today (Oct. 11).

1. Gustavus Adolphus (No. 8 nationally)
2. Luther, Iowa (No. 21 nationally)
3. Wisconsin-Platteville
4. St. Olaf
5. Wisconsin-Eau Claire
6. Wartburg, Iowa
7. SJU
8. Augsburg

A LOOK AT THE ROYALS: Bethel (5-7, 1-4 MIAC) lost its fourth consecutive game with a 2-0 decision Saturday (Oct. 8) to Carleton in Arden Hills. The Knights' Owen Flanagan scored both goals in the 15th and 24th minutes. Carleton had a 5-0 advantage in corner kicks and out-shot BU 18-12, though the Royals posted a 7-6 edge in shots on goal. Senior Matthias Caspari leads the team in goals (6) and points (12) and senior Isaac Howell is next with 10 points and five goals. Junior goalkeeper Juan Valdivia Cortes has all 12 decisions in net with a 1.48 GAA and a .770 save percentage (57 saves).

LAST FALL: Forward Tommy Picka '22 gave the Johnnies a 2-1 victory at Bethel with his second game-winning goal of the season 18 seconds into the second overtime last Oct. 14 (2021).

Five days after SJU suffered a 1-0 home loss to then-No. 17 St. Olaf in double overtime, it was the Johnnies who found the golden goal on a blustery day in Arden Hills. Junior midfielder Kaidan Popp (Redmond, Wash./Mount Si) found Erickson, who centered the ball to Picka. Picka dribbled past a BU defender and ripped a shot from roughly nine yards out.

Isaac Howell took advantage of an SJU turnover to give the Royals an early 1-0 lead in the 15th minute.

Senior defender Cavin Allen (Excelsior, Minn./Chanhassen) tied it at 1-1 with his second goal of the season off a corner kick from Picka in the 54th minute. Picka's corner found the head of senior midfielder Matt D. Anderson (Omaha, Neb./Creighton Prep) and Allen provided the finish.

SJU out-shot BU, 13-5 (8-2 on goal).

SERIES HISTORY: The Johnnies lead the series with a 34-8-5 record since 1977, including a 17-3-2 mark in Collegeville. SJU has won each of the last four meetings overall, including a 2-1 score in the last three.