PASADENA, Calif. — The Caltech women's soccer team posted one of its strongest performances of the season on Saturday, capping off the 2023 campaign on Saturday with a massive 2-2 draw against the rival Occidental College Tigers. It is the second tie in three games for the Beavers, who earned a hard-fought 0-0 draw versus the University of Redlands on Oct. 18.

To honor its three graduating seniors – midfielder Maya Rushlow, midfielder/forward Kathryn Thompson and defender Cameron Scantlin – the team held a Senior Day ceremony prior to the contest.

Action began at 11 a.m. with a large crowd in attendance, and Caltech immediately put pressure on the Tiger defense. In just the third minute, Rushlow sent the day's first shot towards the goal, though an Oxy defender stepped in for the block. Less than one minute later, junior midfielder Juni Polansky fired the ball from the close right wing after receiving a cross from junior forward Jennifer Solgaard, though she just missed wide.

The team continued to challenge the Oxy defense while also limiting the visitors' offensive chances.

Caltech created a brilliant opportunity in the 11th minute after Rushlow took over possession from the Tigers. After taking control of the ball at midfield, the veteran sent it ahead to the surging Polansky on the right flank, who dribbled it towards the net before sending a cross to Solgaard. The pass was broken up, though the ball stayed in the box; Solgaard jumped on the opportunity as she kicked it past the goalkeeper into the back of the net, electrifying the home fans.

With the score, Solgaard becomes the program's all-time leader in career goals scored, with 11. Just a junior, the standout will look to add to her total next fall.

The Beavers held onto the 1-0 lead for the remainder of the half; first-year goalkeeper Haleigh Gardner came up with three massive saves in her 45 minutes to keep the Tigers scoreless.

The opponents tied the contest up at 1-1 in the 57th minute before scoring again in the 74th, though the Beavers were not dismayed. In the 85th minute, sophomore defender Kyla Cook sent a ball into the box, where first-year midfielder Ellie Yamada wisely passed it to first-year midfielder Louise Marie Choi-Schattle at the top of the box; the newcomer delivered a shot past the keeper into the left side of the net, tying the contest at 2-2.

The Beavers played strong defense for the remainder of the game to keep the Oxy offense at bay before time expired.

Sophomore goalkeeper Sophia Steven started the second half in goal; she logged four monumental saves in her 45 minutes in net.

Solgaard and Choi-Schattle's goals mark their third each of the season; Yamada picked up her first assist. The Beavers registered eight shots on the day.

Solgaard ends the season tied for third in assists among all SCIAC players; she ranks ninth in the conference in total points, with three goals and four assists.

Head coach Emmy Meyring expressed her pleasure with how the team performed in its final game of the fall.

"I'm very happy with how we ended the season," said Meyring. "We came out strong and played a great 90 minutes and were able to put away two great goals. Our second goal was a combination of two freshman that gave us the tie," said Meyring. "It was a great send off for our three seniors."

The team will take a well-deserved rest before preparing for the 2024 season.

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