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

After a week of well-deserved rest, it’s back to work in preparation for the biggest weekend of the season. With two games and six points on the line, the team will need to be focused on doing whatever it takes to get those points. Even players that don’t get many minutes play a vital role in the team’s preparation. A constant theme during training sessions is ‘to compete.’ We want every player competing for every ball in every situation, no exception.

Every player is anxious to prove themselves, right now there are even a few starting positions that are up for grabs so this week should be highly competitive as we prepare for Friday night. Go Cougs!Tweet

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

It always feels good to get a win. Especially against our in-state rivals, the Ogden Outlaws.

I think that the win is exactly what the team needed, and probably deserved. The coaching staff has been working hard all week to correct some of the mistakes they’ve seen in previous games. This week in practice Coach Watkins emphasized defensive organization and self-confidence. He encouraged the offense to take risks and attack the goal constantly. The buzz word for the
week is “tenacious.” Coach Sackett personally feels that’s what has been lacking recently from our team in front of the goal.

I should also note that the win against Ogden was hard-fought. I think this team showed grit and determination, two qualities that trump all others.

A few other things happened recently off the field. As most of you probably know BJ Pugmire is now a father–congratulations to him! John Junca also deserves a congratulations for getting a B
in his Econ 110 midterm without doing much studying! (Unfortunately, Jantzen Romney wasn’t as lucky…)

I should also note that the other day Denise’s baby was crying in the training room. To everyone’s surprise, only Toni Nicolli could stop the tears with his gentle rocking. So, although he might not be such a good pool player, Toni Nicoli is great with newborn babies! (Crazy, huh?)

Well, all that’s left to say is with a PDL win under our belt, we feel that we have gained some momentum for the rest of the season!Tweet

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

Saturday was a great night for the team. The win against Ogden wasn’t pretty, but well deserved for the hours and effort of preparation. Probably more important is that we head into a week-long break on a positive note, which will bring more confidence when we return.

The week-long break has interesting implications for the players. For starters, and players who play significant minutes each week, it’s a welcome break to heal and recover. Although, some fitness and ball work is required. However, players who are trying to break off the bubble and either jump into the starting line up or earn playing time, it’s a real opportunity to work hard and improve. With two home games the week we return, we’ll have a great chance to climb the standings and battle for a playoff spot.

Go Cougs!Tweet

Jarom Jordan

Box Score

BJ Pugmire scored his first goal of the season. (BYU Photo)

OGDEN, Utah (May 28, 2011) — On a rainy Saturday night the BYU Cougars took down rival, Ogden on Saturday night 1-0 for the first win of the Premier Development League season. BYU is now 6-2-2 overall and 1-2-2 in PDL play.

“It was nice to get three points,” said senior midfielder, BJ Pugmire. “Hopefully we can come back from the break and have some more confidence and pick up where we left off.”

In the second meeting between the Cougars and Outlaws of the week BYU shutout Ogden in both matches and scored its second goal of the season by BJ Pugmire in the 30th minute. The game was physical in the wet conditions featuring 26 combined fouls and nine cautions including two for BYU sophomore defender, Jonathan Junca. BYU out shot Ogden 13-9 and and tied with five corners each.

“It was a great night for the team,” said assistant coach, Clay Christenson. “The win wasn’t pretty, but well deserved for the hours and effort of preparation. Probably more important is that we head into a week-long break on a positive note, which will bring more confidence when we return.”

The Cougars next set of games is in two weeks on June 10 and 11 versus the Orange County Blue Star and the Southern California Seahorses. The matches will be broadcast live on BYUtv.

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

PROVO, Utah (May 26, 2011) — Sophomore forward, Garrett Losee was honorably mentioned on the USL Premier Devleopment League “Team of the Week” for the week of May 15-21.

Losee started against the Fresno Fuego on May 20 in a 3-0 loss in Provo. He played a full 90 minutes and recorded three shots.

Read the PDL release here.Tweet

Jarom Jordan

Scott Heaton and the Cougars look to beat Ogden on Saturday. (BYU Photo)

PROVO, Utah (May 25, 2011) — After Tuesday’s scoreless draw in Provo, the BYU Cougars and Ogden Outlaws will meet again this Saturday at Bonneville High School at 6 p.m. in the second of four meetings this season. Both teams are 0-2-2 in PDL play while BYU is 5-2-2 overall.

BYU leads the series 15-2-2 and won five in a row before Tuesday’s scoreless tie. BYU has outscored Ogden 9-2 in the last six meetings. The Cougars have never lost in Ogden, going 8-0-1 and have outscored Ogden, 13-3. The two teams are tied for fifth place with two points each in the Southwest Division of the PDL.

UP NEXT

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Robbie Bullough
For byusoccer.com

Box Score

PROVO, Utah (May 24, 2011) — The BYU Cougars (5-2-2 overall, 0-2-2 PDL) hosted the Ogden Outlaws (0-2-2) in the first of four games between the two teams and failed to convert on multiple scoring opportunities leaving with a disappointing 0-0 tie.

“It’s a kick in the teeth for sure because we didn’t get three points.  And we need to get three points,” said BYU head coach Chris Watkins.

BYU possessed the ball well in the first half completing over 240 of its passes and saw many more scoring opportunities than Ogden.

“I feel like we had possession way more than they did and I feel like it was a good step for us,” said sophomore forward, Garrett Losee.

But in the second half, the Cougars completed just 170 passes and struggled to maintain possession.

“We were a little tired because we were pressing so much.  We were shooting for three points,” Watkins said.

The Cougars were awarded 7 corner kicks to Ogden’s 1 and doubled the Outlaws on shots 18-9, but had just 4 on frame. Losee and BJ Pugmire both had opportunities in the box in the second half but saw their shots sail just wide of the net.

“I’m a little frustrated with all of us because we had so many chances,” Pugmire said.

Pugmire moved from the wing to attacking midfielder in place of Doug Clark who suffered a concussion in Friday’s loss to Fresno.  The senior had 4 shots while Losee added 3 to lead BYU.

Jace Green saw his first action of the season in the second half after recently returning from a full-time mission in Portugal.

The in-state battle was physical, resulting in 30 fouls and five cards.  Losee picked up the match’s first yellow card in the 31st minute.  The other four cards were all issued in the second half.  Adrian Castano picked one up in the 61st minute for Ogden and James Bindrup got BYU’s second card in the 66th.  Joe Hickman was then carded twice in the 67th and 78th minutes, the second yellow resulting in a red card.  Hickman’s ejection gave the Cougars a one-man advantage in the final 16 minutes, including 4 minutes of stoppage time.  But BYU failed to capitalize and Ogden escaped with just the second tie in series history.

“Deep down it hurts.  It’s gut-wrenching,” said Watkins.

The Cougars have managed just one goal in their first four PDL games.

“Once we get a couple, and get that confidence…, the flood gates will open,” said Pugmire.

BYU and Ogden each pick up one point giving them both two on the season.  The two teams are still tied for fifth in the Southwest Division and will square off again this Saturday at 6 p.m. MT at Bonneville High School in Ogden.Tweet

Jarom Jordan
jarom.jordan@byu.edu

Full Game Notes – PDF

PROVO, Utah (May 23, 2011) — In the first of four meetings this season including two this week, BYU (5-2-1 overall, 0-2-1 PDL) will play in-state rival Ogden (0-2-1) on Tuesday, May 24 at 8 p.m. MT in Provo. The game will be broadcast live on BYUtv and www.byutv.org/live.

UP NEXT
The Cougars will play at Ogden this Saturday at 6 p.m. MT.

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.

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

It was a very difficult loss on Friday night, and I know the team is anxious to move forward and play again tomorrow against Ogden. It’s important to quickly learn from mistakes and move on to the next game, especially early in the season. As a staff, we constantly remind our players to be confident, even if they miss an opportunity to score or tackle a ball, forget about the past and move on to the next opportunity.

At Monday morning’s practice, the team spent time watching film, then working on a few changes for tomorrow night and it was clear how motivated the players were to prove themselves and get a win tomorrow. Go Cougs!Tweet

Box Score

Video: BYU Coach – Chris Watkins Postgame

PROVO, Utah (May 20, 2011) — In BYU’s Premier Development League home opener, the Cougars lost 3-0 to the Fresno Fuego Friday night. BYU is now 5-2-1 on the year and 0-2-1 in the PDL.

“I’m obviously very disappointed,” said head coach, Chris Watkins. “It’s always going to be tough. We need to play with more energy and more belief in ourselves.”

The undefeated Fresno side started the game with a bang, scoring in the first 10 seconds off the kickoff. Jose Cuevas launched a ball at BYU’s backline that took a perfect bounce to the path of striker, Gustavo Silva who evaded one defender who slipped on the wet grass and beat another one to put his first goal of the season in the back of the net.

The Cougars had solid possession in the midfield for the next 25 minutes until a foul created a set piece opportunity outside BYU’s box in the 27th minute for the Fuego. Gastavo Cignetti blasted a strike into the upper left part of the net, beyond the diving reach of Cougar goalkeeper, Cory Cosgrave off the free kick to go ahead 2-0.

BYU rebounded with great pace and momentum resulting in its best offensive chance of the half when Scott Heaton made a great cross to BJ Pugmire who missed an open net when he hit the post a minute before the halftime whistle.

Two minutes into the second half, Fresno sub, Tyler Reinhart scored his second goal of the season as he received a pass in the air from Gastavo Cignetti, then controlled it, cut back and ripped a third goal through the net for the Fuego.

BYU exhausted its six subs for fresh legs and had great looks at times but were shutout at home for the first time in five games. The Cougars connected 352 passes in the game. BYU is now 4-3-2 in PDL home openers alltime.

“We played a lot better the (on May 12 versus Fresno),” said Watkins. “We need to believe in ourselves. We have to know that we can go toe to toe with teams otherwise it’s going to be a long season.”

Fresno won both meetings this season, 2-0 on May 12 and 3-0 on May 20. The Cougars now prepare for the Ogden Outlaws on Tuesday, May 24. The game will be live on BYUtv.Tweet