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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Box Score

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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Jarom Jordan

Box Score

PROVO, Utah (June 11, 2011) — For the second consecutive night the BYU Cougars squandering multiple scoring chances in route to a home loss against top competition in the Southwest Division. The Cougars lost 3-1 to the Southern California Seahorses on Saturday night dropping their overall record to 6-4-2, 1-4-2 in the PDL.

“You work extremely hard at practice and to come away with two losses this weekend is really disappointing,” said BYU assistant coach, Clay Christenson. “We have guys who work hard, want to be here, and sacrifice a lot. Our guys are anxious to be better.”

“We have the skills,” said forward, Toni Niccoli. “Little mental mistakes are costing us. It feels like a repeat of last year. Everyone on this team is talented. We have to come together.”

The Seahorses struck first in the 13th minute when Kennedy Chongo connected with Ryan Shaw in the box for the 1-0 lead. The goal was Shaw’s seventh of the season.

BYU answered in the 18th minute when midfielder, Jantzen Romney was fouled in the penalty area. BJ Pugmire scored on the PK for his team leading second goal of the season, both of which have come on penalty kicks.

In the 29th minute BYU’s Will Burton was whistled for a foul in the box, giving Seahorse midfielder Blake Leyden a chance at a penalty kick but Cougar keeper, Cory Cosgrave made a spectacular save and dive on the ball to keep the score 1-1 until the half.

The second half featured BYU dominating possession and threatening often but coming up short multiple times. The Seahorses took advantage by scoring in the 59th minute from Ryan Shaw and assisted by Jordan Burt for the go ahead and eventual game-winner and tacked another on in the 77th minute when the BYU’s Doug Clark scored an own goal on a corner kick deflection.

Next weekend BYU will travel to play at the LA Blues 23 on Friday, June 17 and Saturday, June 18 at Southern California.

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Jarom Jordan

Box Score

PROVO, Utah (June 10, 2011) — In a wide open, fast paced Friday night game the Orange County Blue Star hung on to beat the BYU Cougars, 2-1. The Blue Star are now 9-0-4 all-time against the Cougars.

“We were better tonight than we were a few weeks ago,” said head coach, Chris Watkins. “Overall we weren’t effective. We’re disappointed. We need to come out with points at home against even a great team.”

The Cougars are now 0-2-1 at home this season and will host the Southern California Seahorses tomorrow night at 8 p.m. MT on BYUtv and online at www.byutv.org/live.

In the 10th minute the leading point man in the PDL (8 goals, 3 assists, 19 points), Chandler Hoffman put Orange County on the board by creating an own goal. His left footed shot hit the right post then ricocheted off defender, Ethan Meyer in the net for the first goal of the game.

BYU nearly tied it up in the 23rd minute when midfielder, Jantzen Romney gathered a thru-ball and chipped it at goal but keeper, Sam Chappell saved two quick shots.

Dawning a new formation the Cougars featured returned missionary of five weeks, David Gates (Oregon State transfer) up top and he delivered in his first game in a BYU uniform. Getting the start, it took just 28 minutes for Gates to get his name in the records books as BJ Pugmire found him on a vertical ball which he gathered and put away for the equalizer.

“I think David played well,” said Watkins. “Toni did a nice job. We just have to be more effective. Goal scorers are born and not really made. We need to refine.”

In the second half BYU dominated possession but Orange County struck back on a counter attack in the 74th minute from a great cross by David Ponce to Fernando Monge who headed it into the near post corner for the 2-1 lead.

Four minutes later in the 78th minute BYU forward, Garrett Losee attacked goal and bounced a ball up that was called for a handball but the TV broadcast replay showed it wasn’t. Toni Niccoli put away a goal from that pass but it was negated.

BYU made desperate attempts in the final 12+ minutes to score another equalizer but came up short.

The Cougars outshot the Blue Star 12-7, and recorded nine corner kicks to the Orange County’s three.

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Jarom Jordan

Today’s practice featured a couple of new faces on the team. Former Springville Red Devil and high school teammate of BYU goalkeeper, Easton Folster, Bryson Pope is back from a mission and practiced with the team. I think he and Jace Green are the two tallest guys on the team.

High school graduates Winston Sorhaitz (Pleasant Grove) and Josh Hunter (Ohio)  graduated from high school and are practicing with the team. It was Sorhaitz third practice and Hunter’s first.

Today two year starting keeper, Bryan Black practiced with the team as the third keeper (he graduated in April and isn’t on the team). The fourth was Brackin Flitton who was a guest keeper. He was the starting goalie at Davis last season when the Darts won the state title. He gave up a mere three goals in 20 games that season. He is headed for Dallas on his LDS mission on June 29.

From what I gathered practice was VERY competitive. I saw fire in a lot of guys. These guys aren’t happy about scoring two goals in five games so far. Six goals allowed in five games (three in one game) is pretty good. The coaching staff focused practice on goal scoring and attacking the goal today. Sorhaitz looked impressive. Very quick.

The BYU soccer camps began this week, meaning 13 players are working them and the six hours every day from Monday-Thursday plus practicing. Get some rest fellas! This week it’s cubs and mini cubs.

BYU is prepping for a Friday/Saturday set of games against Orange County (May 14 1-1 tie on the road) and the first meeting with the Southern California Seahorses this year.

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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

Here’s three videos from Tuesday morning’s practice with assistant coach, Chad Sackett; senior goalkeeper, Cory Cosgrave; and junior midfielder, James Bindrup.

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Provo, Utah (Feb. 26, 2011) — After a three day trial with 107 participants, Chris Watkins and the BYU coaching staff have a roster of 22 players for the upcoming summer Premier Development League season.

“It was a really good group, really deep,” said BYU head coach, Chris Watkins.  “We settled on 22 we are very happy with.  I’m excited to get to work with them.”

The roster includes nine returners from last year’s PDL roster, eight returned missionaries, two freshman who joined the team in the fall and three players who made the fall team and made Saturday’s final cut.

BYU’s five incoming freshman who are currently in high school will join the 22 when they graduate in June.  Two more returned missionaries, Jace Green and Mckay Corbett, will also join the team in April and May.

“It’s a very good class (of returned missionaries),” said Watkins.  “It’s a good group coming back.”

BYU’s spring exhibition schedule features a trip to UNLV at the end of March and a week in Puerto Rico in April.

“We’re young, there’s no doubt about that,” added Watkins.  “I’m excited.  We had a good fall with the core of this group who did a really good job of playing quickly, smart, and as a team.”

2011 PDL Roster
Connor Bassett
Colby Bauer
James Bindrup
Will Burton
Tyler Christiansen
Doug Clark
Cory Cosgrave
Easton Folster
Garrett Gee
Sterling Hancock
Scott Heaton
Jonathan Junca
Matt Kimball
Junior Lartey
Garrett Losee
Ethan Meyer
Mike Moreno
Toni Niccoli
BJ Pugmire
Jantzen Romney
Lance Smith
Derek Taylor

Incoming Freshman
Dallin Cutler
Josh Hunter
Trevor Lesueur
Jerry Dearden
Winstron Sorthaitz

Watch an interview with Chris Watkins and two videos from the photo shoot, Saturday night in the Indoor Practice Facility on campus.

Follow the Cougars on:
Official Website-www.byusoccer.com
Twitter-www.twitter.com/byusoccer
YouTube-www.youtube.com/byumensoccerTweet

BJ Pugmire and the Cougars went undefeated during the fall season. (BYU Photo)

Jarom Jordan
jarom.jordan@byu.edu

PROVO, Utah (Nov. 29, 2010) — After a summer season in the Premier Development League with tough competition and 4-10-2 record, BYU ripped through its fall exhibition season, going undefeated and netting multiple goals in every game to take a step forward in preparation for next year.

“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.”

The Cougars schedule featured three in-state teams, all home games and a contest against the BYU alumni and a scrimmage against BYU-Idaho.

September 24 BYU opened its three-week slate with a matchup against the Utah State Aggies.  BYU outshot USU 21-3, possessing the ball nearly the entire game.  The Cougars got goals from Tyler Christiansen (3′), Jantzen Romney (42′), and Kip Critchlow (67′) for a 3-1 win.

Two weeks later on October 8 the Cougars had a cat fight with the Weber State Wildcats.  The game got messy with eight yellow cards and three reds against WSU while BYU also earned a yellow and red.  The Cougars won 2-0 with both goals coming from senior forward, BJ Pugmire.

“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.”

Later that evening the BYU Alumni played the Utah Valley University Alumni to a 3-0 win with a hat trick coming from BYU head coach, Chris Watkins.

The next day BYU played the BYU Alumni, whomping the old-timer’s, 9-0.  The Alumni also scrimmaged each other resulting in an 8-7 win for the, yep you guess it, Cougars.

The final game of the fall was October 15 when BYU played Utah Valley in the “University Parkway Collision”.  The Cougars amazingly didn’t allow a shot while putting in five on the Wolverines for a shutout victory.

The next afternoon the BYU reserves defeated sister-school, BYU-Idaho 2-1.

BYU finished the fall undefeated at 3-0 (beating Utah State, Weber State, Utah Valley), outscoring its opponents 10-1.  Tyler Christiansen, Jantzen Romney, BJ Pugmire, and Blake Tillotson scored two goals each while Kip Critchlow and Doug Clark had a goal a piece.

Clark, Toni Niccoli, and Romney all added two assists and Pugmire and Ethan Meyer had one assist each.

Romney finished first in points with six, trailed by Pugmire with five, and Clark, Tillotson, and Christiansen with four.

“From our first fall game to the last fall game, seeing that progression is what we want,” said assistant coach, Chad Sackett.  “All in all, pretty good.”

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

The Cougars now take a break until the first week in January when the team will begin to train for tryouts in February and the PDL season next May.

Listen to an audio interview with head coach, Chris Watkins about the fall season.

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