SANTA CRUZ, Calif. – The Carleton College men's soccer program opened its first trip to California since 1996 with a 1-0 triumph at University of California-Santa Cruz. Ben Pennell's 31st career goal proved to be the difference in a toughly contested fixture.
 
This was the second-ever meeting between Carleton (6-3-1) and UC-Santa Cruz (4-5-1), the with the previous matchup coming in a neutral-site contest back on Oct. 25, 2003.
 
The Banana Slugs were the early aggressors. Carleton goalkeeper Leo Kugel was forced to making a diving stop of a volleyed shot by Zander Crawford in the seventh minute, and UCSB's Jackson Chandler grazed the crossbar in the 10th minute. The Knights settled in, and their defense solidified as the game progressed.
 
The 16th minute saw the game's lone goal. First-years Finn Lennon and Asher Burt used quick passes to play the ball out of the Banana Slugs' press. Lennon received the ball again and pushed high up the pitch, combining with Pennell for another give-and-go combination that allowed Lennon to work to the edge of Santa Cruz's box before crossing a ball into the center of goal. California native Luke Brown was chopped down in the box, earning the Knights a penalty kick. Pennell, who hails from nearby San Francisco, Calif., stepped up to the spot, sending goalkeeper Tobias Jacobson-Bell the wrong way and notching his eighth goal of the season.
 
A minute later, Kugel collected a low-percentage attempt by UCSB's Michael Braun. The Knights' defense held UC-Santa Cruz without a shot over the next 57 minutes of game time.
 
Searching for the equalizer, the Banana Slugs managed five shots over the final 17 minutes but were forced to resort to long-range attempts. Kugel finished the contest with six saves in notching his third clean sheet over the last four contests.
 
Up Next for the Knights
Carleton remains in the Golden State and plays Lincoln University (Calif.) at 12:00 p.m. PDT/2:00 p.m. CDT. That contest will also be played at Lower East Field at UCSB.
 
Carleton Career Goals Leaderboard
1. 41 – Branden McGarrity – 2012-15
2. 35 – Tim Wills – 2008-11
3. 31 – Ben Pennell - 2022-pres
4. 28 – Bobby Phillips – 2005-08
5. 26 – Marco da Cunha – 2018-21
5. 26 – Owen Flanagan – 2021-24
7. 25 – Yemi Adegunju – 2001-04
8. 24 – Ron Sanders – 1962-64
8. 24 – George Monyemangene – 1985-88
8. 24 – David Watson – 2002-05
 
Carleton Career Points Leaderboard
1. 103 – Tim Wills (35g 33a) – 2008-11
2. 99 – Branden McGarrity (41g, 17a) – 2012-15
3. 78 – Bobby Phillips (28g, 22a) – 2005-08
4. 76 – Ben Pennell (31g 14a) – 2022-pres
5. 72 – David Watson (24g 24a) – 2002-05
6. 66 – Marco da Cunha (26g 14a) – 2018-21
7. 65 – Owen Flanagan (26g 13a) – 2021-24
8. 62 – George Monyemangene (24g 14a) – 1985-88
9. 59 – Ken Tape (23g 13a) – 1995-98
10. 58 – Will Corcoran (20g 18a) 2010-13