PASADENA, Calif. – The Caltech men's soccer team commenced its 2024 Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) campaign at home Wednesday afternoon against local rival Occidental College.

The visiting Tigers played aggressively and physically throughout the contest, nearly doubling the Beavers' total fouls, while Caltech played a more disciplined game and stayed out of the referee's book. Occidental opened the scoring in the seventh minute in a frenzy inside the Caltech 18-yard box and held to that margin for the remainder of the match.

The Beavers had some quality chances and nearly tied the score a couple minutes later as sophomore defender Riley Coover (Orinda, Calif. / Miramonte) had his attempt saved in the ninth minute. Junior forward Ishaan Mantripragada (Saratoga, Calif. / Harker School) also came close with a shot on goal but was turned away by the Oxy keeper.

The Caltech goalkeepers kept the Tigers from extending their lead with five saves each by sophomore Ethan Hamel (Portola Valley, Calif. / Woodside) in the first half, followed by sophomore Alex Crowley (Atlanta / Paideia) in the second half.

Head Coach Duncan Gillis and the Beavers will return to action in their first road trip of the 2024 season Saturday morning at 11 a.m., taking on the Pomona-Pitzer Colleges Sagehens.