BYU came up short on the road, Friday night. ( Daily Universe)

Jarom Jordan

Box Score

LOS ANGELES, California (June 17, 2011) — In the first ever meeting between the LA Blues 23 and the BYU Cougars, the Blues (3-5-2) beat the Cougars (6-5-2 overall, 1-5-2 PDL) 3-2 on Friday night. BYU now prepares for the Southern California Seahorses Saturday night in La Mirada, California.

“We felt really good about the way we attacked at the start of the game,” said BYU head coach, Chris Watkins. “Getting a couple of goals was good for us.”

The Cougars jumped out to to a 2-0 lead after just 25 minutes. The quickest goal of the 2011 season came in the first minute when Toni Niccoli dribbled down to the end line, sent in a cross inside the box and BJ Pugmire scored his team leading, third goal of the year for a 1-0 lead. In the 25th minute BJ Pugmire assisted Garrett Losee for his first ever PDL goal as a Cougar. However that lead wouldn’t last.

The Blues scored three unanswered goals in the 35th, 48th, and 70th minutes off scrambles following free kicks from outside the penalty area. It was the third win of the season and second in a row for LA.

“We were disappointed and frustrated to work so hard and not get a result,” said Watkins.

BYU will play the Southern California Seahorses tomorrow night which is the second meeting in eight days. Last Saturday in Provo, Southern California won 3-1.

POSTGAME NOTES
MULTIPLIES OF TWO
Two goals in one game is the first time the Cougars have scored multiple goals in a game this season

“GO”AL AWAY
BYU gave up a total of seven goals in the first three games, recorded two consecutive shutouts, and has given up eight goals in the last three games.

THREE IS THE LEAD
Senior, BJ Pugmire now has three goals this season, which is the most on the team. The first two came on penalty kicks.

PART TWO
BYU and the LA Blues 23 will meet in Provo on July 21 in the PDL season finale and final home game for the Cougars. LA Blues 23 competes as a professional team for the first time this year, operating as a reserve squad for the Los Angeles Blues of USL PRO.

HALFWAY THERE
Friday nights game was the eighth game of the season. That is exactly the halfway point of the 16-game, 2011 Premier Development League season. Tomorrow night BYU begins the second half of the season against Southern California.

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

Nobody walked away on Saturday night satisfied with our 2-game weekend performance. The first issue the team needs to deal with is defensive. In both games this past weekend, we conceded goals within the first 15 minutes. Playing from behind completely changes the dynamic of the game. Because you feel pressure to equalize with a goal, decision making generally gets worse and you’ll typically leave large gaps on defense which increases the odds the other team scores again. You have an uphill battle for the rest of the game, we have to keep our opponents to zero.

On the flip side, we have to put balls in the back of the net. As a team, we had nearly 30 shots on goal this weekend with only two goals. We are still searching for players who are not only hungry to create opportunities to score, but also have the composure to do so when the pressure is on. I know we have the effort, there’s no doubt that the guys on the field want to score and make a difference, but we’re hopeful that those difference makers rise up sooner than later. If we can’t put goals on the board and turn the pressure on our opponents, it’s going to be difficult to get three points out of a the rest of our matches.

So after a frustrating weekend each player, coach, and fan have two options. The first is to point the finger of blame at everyone else, not make any changes to how you prepare for a game, and basically settle into the mindset of, “We’re just happy to be here.” The second is to pull out the positive, go back to working harder than ever, and believe in yourself and the fact that YOU can make a positive difference, and prepare to win in every way next Friday at 7 p.m. Fortunately, the guys on the team, the other coaches, and fans all emphatically choose option two.

Let me make a case in point of one player who had an immense impact on both games this weekend, Colby Bauer. Colby is one of the smallest guys on the entire field but I guarantee he won more head balls and tackles than any other player both nights. His effort is always relentless every minute he is on the field and because of that, he’s rewarded with tackles, head balls, and difference-making plays on the field. In practice, Colby does the same thing, and I know all the players see it and respect it. We need more players to go out on the field with the mindset Colby has, he fears no one and is willing to sacrifice his body at any moment and on any tackle just to make sure we win. Back to work on Tuesday, we’ll be ready on Friday night. Go cougs!Tweet

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

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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

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.

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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