NORTH NEWTON, Kan. – Coming off one of the most successful seasons in program history, the Mid-America Christian University men's soccer team opened their 2018 season on Saturday night under the lights at Bethel College (Kan.). The Evangels needed to replace a ton of offensive production in the offseason, and if Saturday night was any indication, they were successful in that endeavor.

MACU (1-0) got a goal late in the first half from Simon Van Rheedan, and a pair of tallies in the second half from Rai Ramus to take a 3-0 win from Bethel (0-1).

The game took on a physical tone early, and MACU wrestled control away from Bethel. MACU registered five of the match's first six shots, and in the 30^th minute, Van Rheedan connected. Kacey Owensby found Van Rheedan in front of the goal for his first of the season, and at intermission, that remained the only tally.

In the 67^th minute, Rodrigo Gigena played a through ball that found Ramus, who broke in all alone from 30 yards out and rifled home a left-footed shot to push MACU's advantage to 2-0. Ramus's left foot struck again in the 74^th minute, finishing off a quick counter attack for MACU after a Bethel corner kick to put MACU up 3-0, which proved to be the final margin.

Liam Ward (1-0) made two saves in earning his first career shutout for MACU, defeating Kobi Russom (0-1) who stopped seven shots in the match. Van Rheedan and Ramus combined for three goals and six points, while racking up 10 of MACU's 16 shots in the match.

MACU will be back in action on Labor Day Weekend at the Rocky Mountain College Labor Day Classic. The Evangels will battle the University of Providence Argos (0-0) on Saturday, September 1, at 4 p.m., before wrapping up the weekend against the host Battlin' Bears (0-0) on Labor Day at 2 p.m.