BJ Pugmire will play his final game as a Cougar on Thursday. (Daily Universe)

PDF Game Notes

PROVO, Utah (July 19, 2011) — Thursday night the BYU Cougars will finish the 2011 PDL season against the LA Blues 23 at the Stadium at South Field in Provo, Utah. Kickoff is at 8 p.m. MT and the game will be broadcast live on BYUtv and on www.byutv.org/live.

“Our guys are very motivated,” said BYU head coach, Chris Watkins. “Our guys really want to prove that we’re a better team than our record. We are excited to go out and get a win for the seniors.”

“We want to end on a good note,” said senior goalkeeper, Cory Cosgrave.

The LA Blues 23 represent a PDL team for the LA Blues organization who also have a USL PRO, W-League, and youth club teams. It will be the second meeting all-time. June 17 the Cougars scored a goal in the first minute and another in the 22nd but gave up three goals to lose 3-2.

“Offensively we were able to get behind their defense and finished a couple of nice goals,” said Watkins. “The Blues had a couple of brilliant shots against us that were world class.” See the box score of this game at this link.

BYU’s 13 goals this season mark a single-season low for the Cougars in the PDL (since 2003). However, 21 goals allowed is the fourth fewest in a single season in BYU history and tied for third (goals allowed per game) in the southwest division.

“Everyone has stuck together,” said BYU senior goalkeeper, Cory Cosgrave. “We set goals to stay organized and not give up silly goals.”

GAME #16 FAST FACTS
LA Blues 23 (3-9-2) vs. BYU Cougars (3-8-4)
Thursday, July 21, 2011 at 8 p.m. MT
Stadium at South Field in Provo, UT

BYU competes in the top U23 semi-professional soccer league in the nation (Premier Development League). BYU players are not paid and do not have athletic scholarships.

Follow the Cougars on www.byusoccer.com and @byusoccer on Twitter.

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“Overall I felt we had the better run of play and we certainly had the chances,” said BYU head coach, Chris Watkins. “All the credit in the world to their keeper (Devin Zimmerman) who had a couple of amazing saves.”

The Cougars and Outlaws played a physical game for the first half an hour before BYU struck first with a goal by Oregon State transfer, David Gates in the 29th minute. It was Gates’ second goal of the year.

“David Gates continues to be a nice threat for us and had a great goal today,” said Watkins.

However, late in the first half the Outlaws got the equalizer in the 44th minute as Outlaw forward, Elias Hatungimana, chipped the ball over BYU goalkeeper, Cory Cosgrave.

In the second half BYU put Ogden on its heels but didn’t finish any shots. The game winning goal came in the 67th minute when former Cougar, Josh Patino knocked in a cross off a free kick to make it 2-1 Ogden.

The win gave the Outlaws their second victory of the season and was the fourth game played against BYU in 2011.

May 24 0-0  T (Watch the BYUtv Broadcast of this game)
May 28 1-0  W
July 2   1-1  T
July 16  1-2  L

BYU was 9-0-1 versus the Outlaws in Ogden going into the contest and after the loss the overall series record is 16-3-3.

Watch BYU’s final regular season game on Thursday, July 21 at 8 p.m MT in Provo. It will be live on BYUtv.Tweet

“We’re excited to play against Ogden,” said BYU head coach, Chris Watkins. “We’ve played well against them in the past. Obviously we haven’t gotten the result we’ve wanted every time.”

The two teams meet for the fourth time this season with BYU going 1-0-2 in those games. The Cougars lead the series 16-2-3 and are 9-0-1 at Ogden.

May 24  0-0 T (Watch the BYUtv Broadcast of this game)
May 28  1-0 W
July 2    1-1 T

“There’s no love loss,” said Watkins. “We’ve had the better of them in general. I think they are anxious to prove themselves and I think our guys are pretty hungry too. It will probably be another tough, physical matchup.”

It is the final road game of the 2011 season for the Cougars who are 2-3-2 away from Provo with a -5 goal differential. The Cougars are currently in fifth place with 13 points (3-7-4 overall) while Ogden is 1-9-4 with seven points and in seventh place.

BYU had a strong weekend in Southern California last weekend, losing 1-0 in a well-played but disappointing loss to the division leading, Ventura County Fusion on Friday. Saturday the Cougars recorded their third win of the season with a 1-0 result against the Los Angeles Legends.

BJ Pugmire leads the Cougars with five goals and an assist this season. He’s is 4/4 on penalty kicks. The Cougars have a chance to eclipse last year’s win total of four games by winning their remaining two games to reach five. BYU season and home finale is Thursday, July 21 against the LA Blues 23. That game will be broadcast live on BYUtv at 8 p.m. MT.

“At the beginning of the season I don’t think we were playing our best,” said defender, Sterling Hancock. “We lost the ball a lot. Now we are better. We are keeping the ball and we’re creating a lot more chances.

BYU competes in the top U23 semi-professional soccer league in the nation (Premier Development League). BYU players are not paid and do not have scholarships.

Follow the Cougars on www.byusoccer.com and @byusoccer on Twitter.
GAME #15 FAST FACTS
BYU Cougars (3-7-4) vs. Ogden Outlaws (1-9-4)
Saturday, July 16, 2011 at 6 p.m. MT
Bonneville High School in Ogden, UtahTweet

BJ Pugmire scored his fifth goal of the season. (Daily Universe)

Box Score

LOS ANGELES, California (July 9, 2011) — BYU (3-7-4) won its third game of the season Saturday night with a 1-0 victory on the road versus the Los Angeles Legends (1-10-1). The win puts BYU in fifth place with 13 points in the Southwest Division.

“We had a great effort on a back-to-back game,” said BYU head coach, Chris Watkins. “I’m impressed with how hard we play every game. Ethan Meyer was great for us tonight.”

Meyer and the Cougars played over an hour of scoreless soccer before forward, Garrett Losee drew a foul in the penalty area resulting in a BJ Pugmire penalty kick to put BYU up 1-0 in the 66th minute.

“I actually felt more pressure than I normally do because of the flow of the game,” said BJ Pugmire. “Now that I’ve done it a lot of times, I pick my spot and I feel comfortable going there.”

The goal was Pugmire’s fifth of the season, four of which have come via the penalty spot (4/4 in 2011). His team leading five goals is the highest for a BYU Cougar since Zach De Francis scored eight in 2008.

Minutes after the PK goal the game got ugly when Legends forward, Victor Raygoza, punched BYU defender Ethan Meyer in the face, resulting in a red card. Ten minutes later, Legends midfielder Abdou Liassou hit BYU midfielder, Colby Bauer for his second yellow and ejection from the game. The Cougars held on for the shutout victory.

“We kept it organized with a lot of talking with the midfielders,” said Meyer. “It means a lot to just win. We’re a good team. I believe we are talented but our record doesn’t show that. It’s always a good thing for us.”

The victory over the Legends marks a series sweep and a chance to finish the season strong with two games remaining.

“It feels good,” said Pugmire. “Today we won. It’s relaxing and we had a good time. Hopefully we can end with two more wins so we can improve from last season.”

Follow the Cougars on www.byusoccer.com and @byusoccer on Twitter.?Tweet

“We clearly played well tonight,” said BYU head coach Chris Watkins. “They had one great shot and we didn’t.”

That shot came with four minutes left in regulation. Fusion forward, Gyasi Zardes slotted a shot from distance beyond the reach of BYU goalkeeper, Cory Cosgrave, for the game winner. Both of Zardes’ goals this season have been against the Cougars.

Friday’s win for the Fusion marks a season sweep with both game-winning goals being scored within the last four minutes of the game. BYU is 0-4-2 against VCF since the first meeting in 2009.

Ventura County continues to sit atop the Southwest Division standings with 31 points and is poised to make the playoffs for the third year in a row after winning the 2009 PDL Championship and the 2010 Southwest Division title.

The Cougars have a quick turnaround with a game Saturday night against a well rested Los Angeles Legends squad who haven’t played since July 3. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. at Caroline Coleman Stadium. The Cougars only home win of the season came on June 25 against the Legends in a 3-1 win (Watch the game here).

Follow the Cougars on www.byusoccer.com and @byusoccer on Twitter.Tweet

Junior midfielder, Connor Bassett gives his weekly thoughts about the team in “On the Pitch”.

After one of the most disappointing losses of the season on Thursday night, we were able to bounce back with an impressive win.  The mood of practice today was positive, energetic, and confidence-building.  With several games to go, the players are excited to finish the season strong.  It is interesting to see how a win can give new life to a team.

This year our team has grown close while cultivating a never-give-up attitude.  Now, more than ever, we will move forward with the confidence than we can fight through anything.  Part of what Coach Watkin’s is trying to do here with the BYU soccer team is create winners both on and off the field.  I think that his ongoing confidence in our team has reminded us that, as Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, “Our greatest glory is not in never failing, but in rising up every time we fail”.

Doug Clark’s goal on Saturday was one of the best I’ve seen at BYU and, thus far in the season, its the clear winner of goal of the year.  Unfortunately, Doug’s goal-scoring celebration was not as impressive!  Toni Nicolli finally got married in Seattle this weekend.  We are all very happy not only about his marriage, but also because we don’t have to hear him brag to all the single guys.  Ethan Meyer is home in Dallas this week spending some quality time with his family before he leaves on his mission.  He will be missed on the field; however, since he received his fifth yellow card on Saturday he wouldn’t have able to play this weekend anyway.

Anyway, we are all excited to play Ogden this weekend.  Our rivalry with the Ogden Outlaws always promises excitement!  That’s all for now, and for those of you who watched the game on Saturday on BYUtv, I am going to go meditate. . .Tweet

BYU Assistant Coach, Clay Christenson gives his thoughts about the team “From the Box”.

Saturday night was great, a well deserved three points for the men in blue. What I was most impressed with was our finishing, we finally put balls in the back of the net. In fact, Doug Clark’s goal was one of the finest I’ve ever personally witnessed. Doug has really done a nice job for us a left back. He’s a dynamic weapon going forward, while working very hard defensively to make sure we don’t give anything up.

It’s time to move forward, really move forward and put a winning streak together. With a week of preparation before our next match, we have plenty of time to improve as a team while riding the confidence we gained on Saturday night. A ‘good’ problem we currently have is the number of players earning more minutes and proving they deserve to be on the field. Unfortunately, only 11 can be rewarded with a start and just a handful more will enter the match so I’m fully anticipating the most competive week of practice we’ve had all year. Back to work on Tuesday, Go Cougs!Tweet

Doug Clark scored a memorable goal on Saturday. (Daily Universe)

PROVO, Utah (June 25, 2011) — In BYU’s breakout game of the season the Cougars played a first half to remember en route to a 3-1 win Saturday night against the Los Angeles Legends. It was the first home win and most goals in a game this season.

“It was refreshing,” said defender, Doug Clark. “We’ve been looking for it. It’s about time.”

BYU attacked early and often resulting in a goal in the eight minute. James Bindrup fed Winston Sorhaitz a through ball on the right side of the penalty area that Sorhaitz buried far post to give the Cougars a 1-0 lead. It was his second goal as a Cougar in his second game as a starter.

Five minutes later (13th) Jace Green gathered a Sorhaitz pass in the box that was deflected, then he put the rebound in the back of the net for his first career PDL goal as a Cougar to give BYU a 2-0 lead.

“It was exciting,” said Green. “It wasn’t the prettiest goal but whatever. I got the fortunate bounce.”

The goal of the nigh and season came in the 42nd minute when a BYU corner kick was way long and behind the box. Doug Clark let the ball bounce once hard at him then ripped a rocket at goal with his left foot that careened off the right post and in.

“I was just waiting on the corner of the 18,” said Clark. “I got a deflection off the corner kick. I saw it bouncing and I just thought ‘hit it on the goal. Hit is far post.’ So I did.”

At the end of the half BYU’s Tyler Christiansen was called for a foul in the penalty area in stoppage time resulting in a Victor Sanchez penalty kick. BYU goalkeeper, Cory Cosgrave dove to his left and made the PK save without a rebound to end the half.

In the 55th minute the Legends got on the board with a rebound shot by substitution, Victor Florez to make it 3-1. BYU would hold on for the victory.

BYU will now prepare for the Ogden Outlaws next Saturday, July 2.

“There’s no bad team in the league,” said Clark. “It’s always going to be tough. Soccer is so much more when you are scoring goals.”

Follow the Cougars on byusoccer.com and twitter (@byusoccer).

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PROVO, Utah (June 23, 2011) — Tied 1-1 into stoppage time, the Ventura County Fusion scored a header in the 92nd minute to win 2-1 against BYU on Thursday night. With the win the Fusion take over first place of the southwest division in the PDL while the Cougars are still winless at home.

“I was incredibly disappointed in our organization on the last goal they scored,” said BYU head coach, Chris Watkins.

BYU began the game with tremendous offensive energy, puthing Ventura on their heels with attacks at goal. One such moment saw a collision in the Fusion penalty area between BYU’s Garrett Losee and Ventura goalkeeper, Sam Hayden. Hayden required medical attention after 15 minutes on the pitch, was carted off, and taken to the hospital in an ambulance. Backup forward, Jochem Graf volunteered to play goalie since the Fusion didn’t travel a backup. It created 11 minutes of stoppage time at the end of the half.

After a scoreless 60 minutes, the Fusion struck first off a corner kick from Danny Barrera. After the intial service bounced in the box and left the penalty area, Gyasti Zardes scored his first goal for Ventura County off a rebound from the crossbar.

In the 81st minute, BYU freshman forward, Winston Sorhaitz scored the equalizer after a Jantzen Romney shot was blocked. The game marked Sorhaitz first start for BYU just a month after his high school graduation. “He deserves that goal,” said Watkins. “He’s certainly worked hard enough for chances and that was a well deserved goal.”

It appeared BYU might take the lead in the 88th minute when a ball was passed into the Fusion penalty area but BYU reserve forwards, Jace Green and David Gates were in the same space and couldn’t deliver a good shot on goal.

Two minutes into stoppage time, Ventura created a corner where Jacob Hustedt lofted in a ball on the far post and found Daniel Steres on a header for the go ahead goal and game-winner to make it 2-1.

BYU will play the Los Angeles Legends on Saturday at 8 p.m. mountain time. The game will be broadcast live on BYUtv and online at byutv.org/live.

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Garrett Losee and the Cougars look to win a home game this weekend. (Daily Universe)

Full PDF Game Notes

PROVO, Utah (June 22, 2011) — BYU will attempt to get its first home win of the season and first victory versus the Ventura County Fusion on Thursday, June 23 and Los Angeles Legends on Saturday, June 25. Both games kickoff at 8 p.m. mountain time and will be on BYUtv and www.byutv.org/live.

“We are excited to improve our season this weekend,” said midfielder, Connor Bassett. “We have a great opportunity to play Ventura this Thursday night. We are a good team and we are anxious to prove it.”

UP NEXT
The Cougars will play the Ogden Outlaws on July 2 in Provo.

COUGAR QUICK HITS
-BYU welcomes back 10 returned missionaries from two year LDS missions across the globe for the 2011 season who were on the team prior to their missions in 2008. Those include Colby Bauer (Oregon), Will Burton (Mexico), Easton Folster (Argentina), Scott Heaton (Japan), Jonathan Junca (Chile), Garrett Losee (Puerto Rico), Mike Moreno (San Diego), Derek Taylor (New Jersey), McKay Corbett (Canada), and Jace Green.

-Five starters return to the team including BJ Pugmire, Tyler Christiansen, Toni Niccoli, Doug Clark, and James Bindrup.

-Seven of BYU’s eight home games will be televised live nationally on BYUtv and online at www.byutv.org/live.

-The Cougars went 3-0 in the fall season with victories against Utah State, Weber State, and Utah Valley. In the spring non-conference season the Cougars beat UNLV on the road, Utah Valley at home, and defeated three Puerto Rico professional clubs (Mayaguez, Fenix, and Bayamon) to go 5-0.

-BYU competes in the top U23 semi-professional soccer league in the nation (Premier Development League). BYU players are not paid and do not have scholarships.

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