Posted: Sep 28, 2022

Beavers Battle Poets In SCIAC Action

WHITTIER, Calif. (Sept. 28, 2022) - From the opening sprint, sophomore Sean Zheng (San Marino, Calif. / Polytechnic School) and his teammates were determined to write a different chapter in the Beavers matchup with the Whittier College Poets on Wednesday evening. Gaining possession for Caltech, Zheng's sprint win led to the ball getting to senior Max Bricken (Portland, Ore. / Westview) who fired home a shot within the game's first 20 seconds, giving the visitors a 1-0 lead. While Bricken and teammates would quickly add on and build to a 2-0 advantage in the game's first minute, Whittier ultimately gained the advantage in their home pool, leaving Caltech on the short end of 9-16 result. With the loss, Caltech moves to 3-5, 0-2 SCIAC while Whittier improves to 6-9, 0-1 SCIAC.

After the early enthusiasm of Bricken's two goals, the teams traded empty possessions until Whittier scored at 4:54 of the first, with the Beavers still leading 2-1. After leveling the score at two goals each, it was Whittier who broke in front for good, scoring their third goal with 1:50 remaining. After another Poets goal less than 30 seconds later. Bricken scored his third goal of the period with 58 seconds remaining on a penalty shot bringing the Beavers within a goal at 3–4. When Whittier scored a late period goal, the teams swam to their benches with Caltech trailing 3-5.

The second period started similarly to the first at least as it relates to Zheng winning the opening sprint. A few missed opportunities for the Beavers as well as for the Poets left the score unchanged until Whittier scored on a power-play with 4:36 remaining in the second. A turnover and missed shots for the Beavers didn't allow the team to make any further inroads in the score and when Whittier potted a goal with 3:26 remaining with the teams and even strength, Caltech found itself trailing 3-7. Unable to solve the riddle of the Whittier defense, Whittier was able to build up in attack, scoring the goal that doubled up the Beavers with Whittier going in front 4–8. But with :39 remaining in the second frame, Zheng scored to bring the Beavers within 5 to 8 as the teams went to halftime.

After the intermission, the Beavers won the sprint by first year Bram Schork (Villanova, Pa. / The Haverford School) but had a couple of empty possessions as Whittier scored their ninth goal as Caltech trailed 5-9. With senior Wei Foo (Hacienda Heights, Calif. / Troy) playing valiantly in goal, and the Caltech defense giving great effort, the Poets keep their foot on the gas, as the Beavers fell behind, 5-12 with 3:47 left in the third. But the Beavers refused to go quietly. As they have all season long, they fought their way back in the game when Zheng scored his second of the game to get Caltech back to 6-12. The teams traded one more goal each before the end of the third as the teams went to the benches with Caltech behind 7-13.

To start the fourth, Schork won the spring again for Caltech making it 4 for 4 on the evening. Zheng scored again as Caltech got within five with 7:11 remaining in the fourth. A shot by Bricken went off the post and then with 5:38 remaining he was able to get the Beavers within four goals at 9–13 when he fired one home from close range. While the Beavers had a couple more chances to get closer, it was Whittier who scored an even straight goal with 2:21 remaining in the game to push their lead out to 9–14. Two goals scored late by Whittier resulted in the final tally, Caltech 9, Whittier 16.

Next up for Head Coach Jon Bonavede and the Beavers is a road matchup with the Sagehens of Pomona-Pitzer Colleges. The game will be played on Wednesday, October 5 at 7 PM. To live stream the games or to follow live stats, please go to www.GoCaltechcom.