THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. — Sophomore midfielder Marie Choi-Schattle (Barrington, R.I. / Barrington) scored her sixth goal of the season on Saturday as the Caltech women's soccer team tested the reigning national champions of Cal Lutheran University.

Caltech trailed for part of the first half after an early Regals' goal, though the Beavers responded in the 40th minute as junior defender Kyla Cook (Oakland, Calif. / Athenian) sent a beautiful cross to an open Choi-Schattle in the box who scored the equalizer with a perfectly-placed header. 

The score puts Choi-Schattle tied for first in goals scored among all players in the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) this season. The standout's six goals and one assist brings her season total in points to 13, landing her second among all SCIAC players. The midfielder has been able to consistently propel the Beavers' offense, scoring her six goals on 27 total shots, 16 of which came on net. 

It was a close match the rest of the way against the unbeaten Regals; the Beavers played a clean game picking up only three fouls to the Regals' nine. The team was strong defensively in large part because of the performance of sophomore goalkeeper Haleigh Gardner (San Ramon, Calif. / California) who pulled in seven saves of the nine Regals' shots on net.

Sophomore midfielder/forward Aurelia Kuester (San Diego / Canyon Crest Academy) fired a strong shot in the 62nd minute that came on target, though it was saved by the opposing keeper.

Cal Lutheran soon scored to take a 2-1 lead midway through the second half, though Caltech refused to lay down as they continued to pressure and generate scoring opportunities. The squad created two strong chances in the final five minutes of play, as senior forward Jennifer Solgaard (Palo Alto, Calif. Palo Alto) rocketed a shot towards the net, though it was saved by the Cal Lutheran keeper. The team came up with another scoring opportunity from Cook just one minuet later, though the shot was again denied by the goalie. Caltech fought until the final horn but ultimately fell to the tough opponent by a score of 2-1. 

Head coach Emmy Meyring and the team look to bounce back this Wednesday, Oct. 9 at 4 p.m. as they host the University of Redlands at North Field. Follow Caltech Women's Soccer on Instagram and follow Caltech Athletics on Facebook, Twitter/X and Instagram.