PASADENA, Calif. (Sep. 5, 2022) – After the excitement of their early-season exhibition game in late August and then the cancellation of their first scheduled nonconference game due to excessive heat on Thursday, September 1, the Caltech men's soccer program was eager to go to work on Labor Day facing the Park University Buccaneers of Arizona.

Head coach Duncan Gillis' revitalized Beavers squad had a tough task in taking on Park, and the guests left the San Gabriel Valley with a 3-0 victory.

"Early on, I thought we had some great offensive chances but unfortunately their goalkeeper came up with some timely saves," Gillis said. "We we may have dropped off a little bit after an early push in terms of creating chances, but overall, I thought that we gave a great effort and just perhaps could've been a little sharper in the finishing third."

The visitors scored twice within the 30th and 32nd minutes, as Park pushed out to a 2-0 lead. They added another goal late in the second half. "Overall, I think that our defensive shape was really good," Gillis said. "I think that Allen Yang (San Diego, Calif. / Del Norte) and Josh Finnerty (Walled Lake, Mich. / Detroit Catholic Central) are really partnering well in their communication, and defensive organization has been a strength so far. It's also great getting to see that all four of the first-years are contributing and playing well. When we are strong defensively and possess the ball, we are terrific at building up offensively. I'm excited to see what will continue to take shape as the team moves forward."

Offensively, the Beavers took four shots with all four of them being on target. Defensively they held the Buccaneers to five shots, but like Caltech's strikes, the Buccaneers efforts were also on frame, with goalkeeper Derek Ing (Hong Kong / Hong Kong International School) saving two.

The Beavers are scheduled to be back in action, heat advisory permitting, at 4:30 PM on Friday, Sep. 9 on the North Field on the Caltech campus.  The Hawks of San Diego Christian College are traveling to Pasadena for this nonconference game.

To follow the men's soccer team and all other Caltech Athletics programs, go to www.gocaltech.com