WHITTIER, Calif. (Oct. 5, 2022) - The Caltech men's soccer program traveled to take on the Whittier College Poets in a conference matchup under the lights on Wednesday night.  Both teams traded scoring opportunities and shared possession fairly evenly, but at the end of 90 minutes, the most important number was the point that each team earned from the 0-0 result.  
 
Quick Shots
-Final Score: Caltech 0, Whittier College 0.
-Location: Memorial Stadium, Whittier College
-Records: Caltech 3-5-2, 1-5-0 SCIAC, Whittier College 6-2-2, 2-2-2 SCIAC
 
Critical Moment
-With less than fifteen minutes remaining in the contest, junior midfielder Rohan Iyer (Queens, N.Y. / Townsend Harris) had a great opportunity in the middle of the penalty area.  His well struck left footed shot was turned away by the Poets goalkeeper for a corner, that the Beavers unfortunately couldn't capitalize on.  
 
Key Beavers

-Derek Ing (Hong Kong / Hong Kong International School). While the chances he turned away weren't as threatening as saves he's made in recent matches, the nine saves he was credited with, as well as the outstanding defense played in front of him, played an integral role in the Beavers earning the point from the 0-0 tie. 

-Etienne Casanova (San Jose / Saratoga).  Continuing the tremendous work he's done in midfield, he was credited with 3 shots on the evening, though none of them were considered on frame.  Several won challenges and received passes were carried forward through the midfield by Casanova as he converted defensive stops into offensive chances for the Beavers.

-Josh Finnerty (Walled Lake, Mich. / Detroit Catholic Central).  Leading the defensive backline, Finnerty played an integral role in diffusing several efforts the Poets made to penetrate the Beavers defense.  His ability to anticipate as well as physical strength on the ball eliminated scoring chances before they became more dangerous.  He also blocked several shots, notably one in the last three minutes as Whittier pushed forward in search of a goal and the win.

-Ishaan Mantripragada (Saratoga, Calif. / Harker School).  Credited with one shot on goal, Ishann proved to be a nuisance for the Poet defense,  On multiple occasions he collected the ball near midfield and raced down the left wing, looking to get in his own shot or create chances through crosses into the 6 yard area.

Game Insight 
"We played a very solid second half and had a chance to win the match," Head Coach Duncan Gillis said.  "Derek and the defense kept us in the game, and I thought that Rohan was going to get us the goal late we needed to get three points for the win.  We are continuing to work hard and are hopeful that we can find ways to finish off some of the chances we are creating."
 
Notes
-Over the first six SCIAC matches of the 2022 season, the team has yielded, on average, 2.67 goals per game.  That matches the goals allowed per game from 2019 and is an improvement over all other seasons in the modern era. 
-The trio of freshmen Casanova, Mantripragada and Jack Myles (Houston, Texas / Bridgeland) have combined to score four of the Beavers seven goals on the season, while having taken nearly half (33 of 70) of the Beavers' shots, and shots on goal (15 of 34).   
-Ing has started and finished all 8 matches for the Beavers in 2022, totaling a .703 save percentage across the 720 minutes of action he's seen. 
 
Up Next
The Beavers are on the road at 5 PM Saturday, October 8 when they take on the Chapman University Panthers in Orange, California. The game is part of a soccer doubleheader as the women's programs will play in the nightcap.