CLAREMONT, Calif. — The Caltech men's soccer team competed in its penultimate game of the 2023 season on Saturday as they faced the Sagehens of Pomona-Pitzer Colleges in a high-intensity late afternoon road game.

The game began a defensive battle before the hosts found the back of the net in the 13th minute of action, though the Beavers created a promising chance just over three minutes later after senior midfielder Rohan Iyer saw a promising opportunity to the net; he fired off the team's first shot of the afternoon, though missed left.

Sophomore Etienne Casanova logged his first shot attempt of the contest in the 22nd minute, though a Sagehen defender stepped in for the block.

With just two minutes remaining in the half, it appeared likely the Beavers would head into intermission in a one-goal deficit, though Caltech applied excellent pressure on the Pomona-Pitzer defense in the period's final minutes. With three minutes remaining, a misplaced Sagehen header resulted in Iyer taking control of the ball in the backfield; the veteran pushed it deep up the field before Casanova picked it up. After getting fouled just outside the box, Casanova sent the ball towards his teammates on a free kick situation, though a Sagehen defender broke it up. The ball stayed in play and sophomore midfielder Wilson Duan hustled to pick it up near the opposite corner; Duan dribbled it along the endline before sending a cross to sophomore forward Ishaan Mantripragada, who leaped into the air and headed the ball into the goal.

The team celebrated before protecting their net for the final 90 seconds of play to keep the score at 1-1 heading into the break.

The Beavers opened the second half on the offensive; after again pressuring the Pomona-Pitzer defense; junior forward Andy Dimnaku stole the ball from a member of the Sagehen backline before firing off a close-range shot, though the opposing goalkeeper blocked the would-be score.

Pomona-Pitzer took over possession though the Beavers stole the ball yet again a few moments later; after getting passed the ball near the midfield, Duan dribbled it ahead, swerving several opposing defenders in the process. The Foster City soon found Casanova, who dribbled it into the six-yard box before feeding a cross towards Iyer; all watched as the ball traveled into the far corner of the net, giving Caltech their second goal of the day and the 2-1 advantage.

The Beavers stayed in front for the majority of the half as they limited the Sagehens' abilities to get off shots; the opponents fired off just one shot from the start of the second period through the 77th minute -- it was saved by senior goalkeeper Derek Ing.

The Sagehens would tie the contest up at 2-2 in the 79th minute before taking over the lead in the final ten minutes. The Beavers fought valiantly but were unable to overtake the hosts as time expired.

Caltech registered 13 shots on the day to the Sagehens' 10. Six of the Beavers' 13 shots came on goal.

With his goal in the first half, Mantripragada sits at a tie for first in the conference in goals scored this season (11). Casanova is one behind him, with 10. Casanova's five assists puts him tied for second in the conference.

The Beavers will compete in their final game of the 2023 campaign this Saturday, Oct. 28 at 2 p.m. in a home Senior Day matchup versus the Claremont-Mudd-Scripps Stags. Please join us as we celebrate the graduating members of the program as they compete in their final game in a Caltech uniform.

Follow the game online at gocaltech.com/coverage and follow Caltech Men's Soccer on Instagram. Follow Caltech Athletics on Facebook, Twitter/X and Instagram.