Box Score CLAREMONT, CA. – The Pomona-Pitzer Men's Soccer team made a statement in their opening game of the 2022 campaign with an 8-0 thrashing over non-conference opponent Bethesda on Friday afternoon at the Pomona-Pitzer Soccer Field.
Matthew Carlson had himself a night to remember after he set a new career-high with four goals in the win. Kyle Lau had a multi-goal game as well with a brace while Graeme Logan and Jorge Guillen-Lopez also got on the scoresheet with one each.
The Sagehens started slow but dominated possession in the first half. Pomona-Pitzer had their first big opportunity of the game called back on a foul in the buildup, but the Sagehens were awarded a penalty for a handball in the box that Carlson slotted home to make it 1-0 in the 16th minute. Pomona-Pitzer had big chances late in the first half but carried their one goal advantage into halftime.
The Sagehens went on a scoring frenzy in the second half against the Flames after Carlson broke open the floodgates with a goal off of an assist from Lau in the 56th minute and then the Sagehens followed with goals in the 58th, 59th, 61st, 63rd and two goals in the 65th.
The third goal of the afternoon came as Guillen-Lopez stole the ball in the defensive third and found Lau streaking into the box to make it 3-0. Just a few minutes Guillen-Lopez netted a goal of his own after a chested pass from Mattin Khoshzaban set up Guillen-Lopez perfectly for goal number four.
Carlson completed his hat-trick with another penalty to make it 5-0 Sagehens before Lau took advantage of a defense breakdown to walk the ball into the back of the net to complete his brace and put Pomona-Pitzer up 6-0.
Carlson wasn't done yet after the Sagehens got a foul just outside the box, Carlson played a cheeky free kick that slipped past the wall and the Flames' keeper to push the lead to 7-0. Pomona-Pitzer ended their goal parade with some nifty passing off a break that pinballed around from attacker to attacker and Alex Bonville eventually found the feet of Logan who slotted it home to make it 8-0 Sagehens.
The Sagehens put seven goals in the back of the net in the second half as they cruised to a big win in their opening game of 2022.
Up Next: The Sagehens will next head to Westmont on Saturday, September 10th at 1:00 p.m.
