Winston Sorhaitz of Pleasant Grove high school will sign with the Cougars in February.  He is a senior at PG and will play there in the spring.  As a junior, earlier this year, he led PG with eight goals.   For now he plays for Sparta and is hoping to win the Utah Youth Cup State Championship this week.  Check out this feature in the Daily Herald about him.  Former Cougar, Drew Van Wagenen took the photo used in the story.

http://www.heraldextra.com/news/local/article_0946cc64-acae-5227-a633-82eba6882e10.htmlTweet

Saturday evening the BYU reserves defeated BYU-Idaho, 2-1 at the Stadium at South Field.

After a scoreless first half Garrett Gee scored in the 70th minute to put the Cougars on the board. Local product, Lance Smith from Timpview in Provo scored the game-winner in the 80th minute. Five minutes later, BYU-Idaho scored for the final of 2-1. BYU Players who played 80-90 minutes on Friday versus Utah Valley didn’t not participate in the scrimmage.Tweet

Blake Tillotson scored twice and had an assist in victory, Friday night. (BYU Photo)

PROVO, Utah (Oct. 15, 2010) — The BYU Cougars finished fall exhibition play with a 5-0 win in the “University Parkway Collision” against Utah Valley, Friday night.  The Cougars end the fall season undefeated at 3-0.

“I like our guys to end on that kind of a note,” said BYU assistant coach, Chad Sackett.  “I really wish we would have had more (goals) because it could have been that way.  We needed more but I’ll take 5-0.”

BYU dominated the game, out shooting UVU, 28-0 and recorded seven corners to the Wolverines zero.  Ten of the Cougars shots were on goal, netting half.

“At first nothing went right,” said midfielder, Doug Clark.  “Eventually, it’s just a numbers game.  If you shoot 28 times, you’ll score five goals.”

The Cougars scored the eventual game-winner in the 39th minute when Jantzen Romney fed Doug Clark a ball in the box which Clark buried in the upper left “v”.

In the second half, Blake Tillotson put the Cougars up 2-0 on a header off the keeper’s hands from a ball launched at midfield by freshman, Ethan Meyer.

In the 63rd minute BYU built another solid attack where Doug Clark crossed an end line ball into the six-yard box to Janzten Romney for the Cougars third goal.

The fourth goal came in 71st with Blake Tillotson finished a Jantzen Romney offering.  Tyler Christiansen put a five spot on the board when he took an errant James Bindrup touch, and did a spin move while flipping the ball over the keeper’s hands for the final score of 5-0.

“I knew where the goal was but to be honest there was some luck involved there,” said Christiansen.  “I pride myself on being a defender who can score.  I’m two for two.  Two shots, two goals.  I don’t think I want to play forward because that would ruin my numbers.”

BYU held UVU to zero shots, a feet not often seen or accomplished.

“That was pretty good,” said senior, defender, Tyler Christiansen.  “I think they weren’t confident coming straight at us.”

The Cougars will scrimmage BYU-Idaho at 5 p.m. on Saturday, officially ending the fall season.  BYU will break until January when they’ll begin training in the mornings in preparation for the late February tryouts for the summer Premier Development League team.

“Our first game to this game, seeing that progression is what we want,” said Sackett.

“I feel like we have a style,” said Christiansen.  “I credit that a lot to our center mid’s who are very confident receiving the ball and moving forward with it.  That was something I feel really good about.”

Post Game Notes:
Scoring Summary
39′   BYU       Doug Clark (Jantzen Romney)
55′   BYU       Blake Tillotson (Ethan Meyer)
63′   BYU       Jantzen Romney (Doug Clark)
71′   BYU       Blake Tillotson (Jantzen Romney)
90+ BYU       Tyler Christiansen (Unassisted)

BYU Starters (Subs)
GK: Cory Cosgrave
D: Ethan Meyer, Tyler Christiansen, James Bindrup, Junior Lartey
M: Kip Critchlow, Doug Clark, Toni Niccoli
F: Janzten Romney, Blake Tillotson, BJ Pugmire

Cards
76′    BYU   Jantzen Romney

Final Stats
Stat                   UVU             BYU
Shots                  0                   28
SOG                    0                  10
Fouls                 11                   4
Corners             0                    7
Saves                 5                    0
Offsides            1                     4
Cards                0                     1

Chris Watkins wasn’t at the game because he is with the #8 BYU women’s soccer team as an assistant coach in New Mexico for Saturday’s game between BYU and New Mexico.

Listen to audio interviews with Chad Sackett, Tyler Christiansen, and Doug Clark.

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Wondering who some of the news faces are on the fall roster?  It’s online now here, http://www.byusoccer.com/fallroster2010.php.

Watch the boys in their final fall exhibition game, tonight at South Field against Utah Valley at 7 p.m.  Tickets are $5.Tweet

Doug Clark and the Cougars look to finish the fall season undefeated. (BYU Photo)

PROVO, Utah (Oct. 13, 2010) — BYU will play its final fall game this Friday versus cross town rival, Utah Valley in the “University Parkway Collision” at the Stadium at South Field in Provo on Friday, October 15 at 7 p.m.

“This is really important for everybody but especially the starters,” said BYU assistant coach, Chad Sackett. “Utah Valley is kind of the little brother, so to say and they’ve got something to prove. I imagine it will be a good crowd and a good group.”

The Cougars are 2-0 in fall exhibition play with victories against Utah State (3-1) and Weber State (2-0). BYU’s regular season is during the summer in the United Soccer League’s, Premier Development League. BYU went 4-10-2 during the 2010 summer season.

The BYU coaching staff likes the individual improvement from each member of the team this fall. “We’ve been looking for those little wins,” said Sackett. “If it’s not a goal, it’s something that each guy can improve upon.”

Follow the Cougars on www.byusoccer.com and www.twitter.com/byusoccer.

Quick Facts
What: Men’s Soccer — Utah Valley vs. BYU
When: Friday, Oct. 15 at 7 p.m.
Where: The Stadium at South Field in Provo, Utah

Listen to an audio interview with assistant coach, Chad Sackett after Wednesday’s practice.
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Assistant Coach, Clay Christenson gives his thoughts about the team in “From the Box”.

We’re already into the last few practices of the fall season, but we’ve seen great improvement from just a few weeks ago when we started. During the first two exhibition games we’ve attacked well and racked up around 40 shots, but we’ve struggled with really putting those quality opportunities in the back of the net. Finishing has been a priority this week for us and will continue to be with the remaining practices.

If we can put a ball in the back of the net early in the first half,  it changes the whole dynamic of the game. We can relax, and really let the flow of the game take over. In contrast, if we wait to score, the pressure continues to build and if the game is 0-0 with 10 minutes left, anyone can win. The players are doing a nice job bringing a competitive spirit to practice, clearly they’re excited every day to prove themselves. They’ll have two more practices to try to jump into the starting 11.  It should be a great few days of practice.Tweet

PROVO, Utah (Oct. 8, 2010) — Senior forward, BJ Pugmire paced the Cougars to victory Friday night with a pair of goals as BYU beat Weber State, 2-0.  The Cougars are now 2-0 in fall exhibition play and will scrimmage the BYU Alumni, Saturday morning at 10 a.m.

“We did a good job of creating quality opportunities,” said BYU head coach, Chris Watkins.  “I felt very good about the way we attacked with the exception of the finishing touch.  It was a good step.”

The Cougars scored in the 33rd minute off a set piece 10 yards outside the top of the box from Pugmire.  He sent the ball right of the Weber State wall and into the net.  His second goal was at the end of stoppage time when BYU had a 10×8 advantage because of red cards.  Toni Niccoli sent a ball wide to Pugmire who chipped it up and over Weber State goalie, Jan Robbins.

“Soccer’s a lot more fun when you score,” said Pugmire.  “I can promise you that.  It was fun to chip the goalie and it was kind of a lucky play.  I hit it right.”

“BJ works so hard,” said Watkins.  “He’s a great leader for our team.  To get two goals in one game is fantastic.”

The game was marked by a plethora of cards, including eight yellows and three reds for Weber State and one yellow and one red card for the Cougars.

“We have to decide whether or not we really want to do this game,” said Watkins.  “It’s too much.  It’s not the way the game should be played.  It’s not safe out there.  It’s a tough situation.”

BYU outshot Weber State 17-9, including 10 shots on goal.  The contest featured 40 fouls, 24 from WSU and 16 from BYU.

“I’m very happy with this team,” said Watkins.  “As we thought, it’s not the most talented team but they really work together for each other.  They are fun to be around.  I’m excited to see where we can go.”

“We’ve got passion,” said Pugmire.  “The guys really want to win.  We’ve got desire.  We’ve got the players and talent.  It’s fun.  There’s still a lot of work to do but it’s better.  It’s so fun to play with these guys.”

The Cougars next fall exhibition game is against Utah Valley next Friday at 7 p.m. in Provo.

Scoring Summary
33′    BYU 1-0    BJ Pugmire (Unassisted)
90+’  BYU  2-0   BJ Pugmire  (Toni Niccoli)

Final Stats
WSU        BYU
Shots                        9                17
Shots on Goal         5                10
Fouls                       24               16
Corners                    5                 2
Saves                        8                 5
Offsides                    1                 3
Yellow Cards           8                 1
Red Cards                3                 1

Cautions
18′  WSU   Jeff Rogers
32′  WSU   Shea Miller
53′  WSU   Mike Hodgen
54′  WSU   Erik Creamer
59′  WSU   Aaron McKinley
65′  BYU    Ethan Meyer
68′  WSU   Jess Patterson
80′  WSU   Bracken Wooden
82′  WSU   Ben Steggell

Ejections
83′  BYU    Ethan Meyer
83′  WSU   Eric Creamer
90′  WSU   Aaron McKinley
90′  WSU   Jeff Rogers

Listen to post game audio interviews with head coach, Chris Watkins; senior forward BJ Pugmire, and senior goalkeeper Cory Cosgrave.

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BJ Pugmire and the Cougars play Weber State, Friday at 6 p.m. (Daily Universe)

PROVO, Utah (Oct. 6, 2010) — BYU and its alumni are preparing for a weekend of reunion and matches as the Cougars play Weber State, this Friday at 6 p.m. and the Alumni play Utah Valley at 8 p.m. at South Field. Tickets go for $5 each for the first game, while the second game is free. The Alumni will also play each other Saturday at 12 p.m. for free.

“I know they (Weber State) always play us really well,” said BYU head coach, Chris Watkins. “They bring out a good team. They really compete hard against us and that’s what we need right now. It’s a great match for us.”

BYU is 1-0 in the fall season after a 3-1 win against Utah State on September 24. Senior defender, Tyler Christiansen gave the Cougars the lead three minutes into the game. Jantzen Romney added a goal before the half for the game-winner and Kip Critchlow scored in the second half to seal the victory.

“I think we are probably a better team than we were a year ago,” said Watkins. “I like our team now for sure. The difference now is we struggle to score goals. Any game is competitive if you struggle to score goals. It’s not life or death to win or lose. It’s really important for us to play well and show improvement.”

In 2009 the two teams tied 1-1 in a double overtime draw. Blake Tillotson scored for BYU in the first half and Weber State’s Kyle Christensen scored in the 83rd minute for the tie. The Wildcats are a club team competing in the National Intramural-Recreational Sports Association. The Wildcats won the national championship in 2009. BYU competed in the same league prior to 2003.

“We’ve got a lot to prove,” said senior forward, BJ Pugmire. “This year everyone is coming back really committed. Weber is a very physical team. They’re the club national champions. They’ve got a good resume. They’re a good team. They’ll be the best competition we’ve played thus far but I’m pretty confident in the way we are playing right now that we’ll be able to show well and dominate possession as usual.”

Prior to BYU’s entrance into the Premier Development League in 2003, the Cougars won seven national titles between 1993 and 2001. BYU expects 45-50 alumni to return to Provo for a game or two of action plus a close up look at the 2010 fall team and some fund raising opportunities.

“It’s a fun weekend for a lot of us,” said Watkins. “It’s good for our players to see and appreciate the alumni.”

The Cougars wrap up the fall season with a game against Utah Valley next Friday, October 15 at 7 p.m. in Provo.

Follow the Cougars on www.byusoccer.com and www.twitter.com/byusoccer.

Quick Facts
What: Men’s Soccer — Weber State @ BYU
When: Friday, Oct. 8 at 6 p.m.
Where: The Stadium at South Field in Provo, Utah

What: Men’s Soccer — Utah Valley @ BYU Alumni
When: Friday, Oct. 8 at 8 p.m.
Where: The Stadium at South Field in Provo, Utah

What: Men’s Soccer — BYU Alumni vs. BYU Alumni
When: Saturday, Oct. 9 at 12 p.m.
Where: Haws FieldTweet

Catch up with the BYU men’s soccer team at practice today by listening to head coach, Chris Watkins and senior forward, BJ Pugmire. They discuss the practice conditions, the new faces of the fall season, and the upcoming matchup with Weber State this weekend.

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BYU will play Weber State this Friday, October 8 at 6 p.m. at the Stadium at South Field.  It’s $5 for everyone.  The alumni will play Utah Valley at 8 p.m. on South Field.  That game is free.  The alumni will also play against each other on Saturday, October 9 at noon.  That is also free.Tweet