LA VERNE, Calif. (Oct. 29, 2022) - The Caltech men's soccer program traveled to take on the University of La Verne Leopards in the final conference matchup of the 2022 season under the lights on Saturday night. While the Beavers found themselves down 0-1 for over 50 minutes, their resiliency and competitiveness kept them in the match as they tallied twice in the last two-plus minutes to win in incredible fashion, 2-1. The Beavers end their season on a positive note, playing their best soccer and going undefeated in the last two games of the campaign as they point to a positive future.

Quick Shots
-Final Score: Caltech 2, University of La Verne 1.
-Location: Ortmayer Stadium, University of La Verne
-Records: Caltech 3-8-2, 2-6-2  SCIAC, University of La Verne 4-13-2, 3-7-1 SCIAC

Critical Moments
-Having conceded a goal in the 37^th minute in the first half, the Beavers never panicked and methodically built their way back into the match, trading possessions and runs with the Leopards.   With the clock winding down in the second half, sophomore Andy Dimnaku (Wellesley, Mass. / Wellesley) collected a ball near the edge of the La Verne penalty area on the right wing in the 88^th minute.  He pulled the ball back toward the top corner of the box and struck a beautifully placed shot that beat the goalkeeper up top, placing the shot into the upper corner on the opposite side of the net getting the Beavers the richly deserved equalizer.  
-Having tied the match, many would believe that the Beavers would be satisfied with the point from the tie.  Instead, they quickly won the ball back, and after a lackluster entreaty into the Beavers end by the Leopards, it was Caltech that began searching for the winning goal.  In the 90^th minute it was freshman midfielder Etienne Casanova (San Jose, Calif. / Saratoga), who with his back to the opponent's goal, turned and split two defenders cracking a shot that beat the La Verne goalkeeper into the same upper left quadrant for the goal that gave Caltech the 2-1 lead and the win.  


Key Beavers
-Andy Dimnaku.  Taking two shots on the night, with both being on goal, it was Dimnaku's brilliant finish that sent the Beavers bench into a frenzy when he scored the spectacular goal that got the match level.  He appeared dangerous on other occasions in the game, but it was the equalizer that proved the most impactful.   
-Etienne Casanova. Creating chances for others, and having been stoned on a walk-in opportunity with the Leopards keeper earlier in the match, it was Casanova's creativity and ability that led to the clinical finish that netted the Beavers the 2-1 lead and win.  Scoring one second into the 90^th minute, Casavona and his teammates celebrated the results of their hard work from the evening and season.  
-Derek Ing (Hong Kong, Hong Kong International School).  Solid in goal all season, Ing played a steady game between the goalposts, making nine saves in the game.  Ing and the Beavers got a bit of luck in the 83^rd minute, when leading 1-0, a La Verve player tried to seal the victory when he struck a low-driving shot that beat Ing, only to glance off of the goalpost.  Five minutes later and then seven minutes later, it was the Beavers that were celebrating their two goals that gave them the result they were seeking. 
-Sam Klauer (Knoxville, Tenn. / Christian Academy).  Playing in his final match, the senior had a hand in both of the Beavers' goals.  While not credited with assists on either tally, it was Klauer who nodded on the ball that Dimnaku was able to collect before scoring, while also providing a critical pass before the ball found Casanova's feet for the game winner.  


Game Insight
"While leaving it that late was stressful, this win showcases just how strong and resilient this group is," Head Coach Duncan Gillis said.  "They've worked tirelessly all season and trusted in themselves and each other in difficult moments, and they went out and got the win that they deserved to end their season.  This is a special group of young men, and after a bit of rest and recuperation with the season done, I know they're hungry to get back to work and keep improving to make even bigger strides going into next year."


Notes
-With the 2-1 finish, it marks the third consecutive win for the Beavers over the Leopards.  In addition to this win, Caltech beat La Verne by the same score on October 12 on the Caltech campus.  That win came on the heels of the Beavers 4-1 victory at La Verne back in the second week of October, 2021.
-With their record of 3-8-2, 2-6-2 SCIAC, the Beavers had their best record in conference for at least the past 10 seasons and fell only one win short of the overall record win total of four games Caltech posted in the 2018 season.  To put it succinctly, by nearly every measure, this is the most accomplished Caltech men's soccer season in at least the past decade.  

Up Next
The Beavers will get their 2023 season underway next August when they look to move up the table and aspire to reach the SCIAC playoffs.