The perfect weather almost makes the team trip to Costa Rica May 4-14 a bit bittersweet… okay, not at all, it’s just sweet. The team trip will take us around the country to visit beaches, eat great food, explore jungles and volcanoes, freshen up on Spanish pick-up lines and, oh yeah, play soccer. On the ten day trip we’ll play some of the top professional teams in Costa Rica, including the powerhouse Saprissa, but our international trips are usually remembered for strengthening team bonding through gypsy curses and trickery(Chile) and Jon Junca’s girlish screams of terror with frog encounters(Fiji AND Puerto Rico). I’m sure there will be some more frogs “hopping” into Jon’s bag in Costa Rica. Pictures will be sure to follow, we’ll even try and post some videos on our Facebook page.

Before we leave, though, we need everyone to send us off by attending our final game before we get back. THIS Saturday, April 28, we’ll be playing Mesa State, from Colorado at South Field at 7pm. Mesa State is a scholarship NCAA program and it should be a good game.

After we get back from Costa Rica, we’re all looking forward to our chance to go head-to-head with the former MLS Champion and CONCACAF Champions League finalist Real Salt Lake on May 19 at South Field. This is an incredible opportunity for players and fans. After a two-year break since the last game between our two clubs, we’ll be looking for some long-awaited revenge for the 3-1 loss Real gave us during their last visit.Tweet

It looks like it’s been a long time since we’ve had a blog post out for your reading enjoyment, so I’ll give a little update for the last week or two.

We are loaded with injuries lately, with Sterling Hancock, David Gates, John Junca, Jantzen Romney, Garrett Losee, and of course Toni Niccoli, unable to practice (am I missing anyone?). Luckily, we have the expertise of Deniece Oates and our new student trainer, so we ought to have a full team by the middle of the season.

Last Saturday, the team took a trip to Camp Williams Army Garrison to do the “Leadership Reaction Course” and some rappelling. I’ll be brief on this because I know “a picture is worth a thousand words” and we have some good pictures on our Facebook page ‘BYU Men’s Soccer.’

Last night was the “Blue and White” game, which was subsidized by some of our excellent former players including, Matt Kimball, Kyle Petit, Lance Smith, McKay Corbett, Cory Cosgrave, Blake Tillotson(who scored), and of course Garrett Gee, who repeatedly made me look like a fool with his lightning quickness. White won the game 5-1.

Well, the team is off for finals week and we’ll be practicing again on Friday. As it is finals week, we ask you all to keep the eligibility of Garrett Losee and Bryson Pope in your prayers. You can do it guys, I know you can.Tweet

When Saturday came, we where all very excited to test out our new 4-3-3 system along with a lot of new players that have joined this year, whether returning missionaries, or new incoming freshman.

The Game started very well for us, scoring early and continuing the trend of goals often. It was a nice feeling to start the year off on such a positive foot. Western Wyoming showed early on that the past two months of fitness our players have gone through was going to put a large gap between them and us.

We thank our trainer Josh for his work with the players to prepare them to be able to perform at their highest level.

Some of the things we as a staff were able to take from the game were our ability to move off the ball, our endurance throughout a game, our combination play, and our finishing touch. Each of our players stepped on the field showing both selfless and selfish acts which is what we want to see. As a player you cant always have the ball because you have ten other team mates and so begins what makes a great player, one who wants the ball and shows for the ball but at the same time never stops making new runs and opening up new space for their teammates, this was a great sign for us.

As a unit we did well to get forward quickly and return to play defense as well. We had no problems making forward runs and covering our defensive duties. Our first couple of practices have been focused on keeping the ball and making the quickest pass possible, a one to two touch system. We showed well in this area. Being relaxed on the ball and passing quickly. It also showed in our finishes. Finding ourselves in good positions and taking our first look with a one touch shot aloud for many of our goals.

The game turned out well for us, and gave us a lot to move forward with. We are all proud of our first game of the season and hope to take the same performance into our next game on Saturday March 24 at 7:00pm at South Field.

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Anyways, while interviewing Rich, I learned about his rock solid strength. You see, while snowshoeing, Rich and I were chosen to wrestle. My 190 pounds were matched up against his 240 pounds. Amidst this epic battle I tossed him effortlessly over my shoulders like a bag of potatoes. (http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=1635824969930&set=o.272899311047&type=2&theater – You can view this here : ) However, the tossing of Rich drained me of every ounce of energy and I eventually succumbed to his physical prowess. You know, his chest alone has the strength of 10 average-sized men.

In closing, Rich is a fantastic addition to the 2012 team. He is super strong, athletic, and fast. We anticipate him being a serious threat in future wrestling matches (and on the soccer field). Stay tuned for updates on Rich as the season unfolds.

This weekly spotlight is brought to you by James Bindrup – Enjoy!

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As a roommate, Romy is the “nice guy.” I can’t tell you how often I hear that from the people in our ward. “Mike Moreno is so good-looking,” “Garrett is so funny,” “Jace is so tall,” “Colby Borrowed a movie from us!” but mostly, “Romy is so nice.” I’m still trying to figure out what they mean by that, but it’s better than what they say about me.

Romy is great. If you want a better description of him, think of combining Antonio Banderas with Mark Whalberg and George Clooney(seriously).

In other team news, most of the men’s team participated in the co-ed IPF tournament Saturday. I left early to write this, mostly because we lost to the “staff” in the semi-final and I wasn’t about to risk staying in case they won it all and I’d have to report on that here. Nobody likes giving Coach a chance to gloat.

Make sure to follow us on Facebook.

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I’d like to introduce you to one of our “new players” this season, Josh Patino. I am completely aware that for 90% of the BYU student population, this introduction is superfluous (Josh has over 1,500 facebook friends). Josh played for the team two seasons ago, but this past summer became a thorn in our side when he joined the much-hated Ogden Outlaws, we’re glad to have him back. Josh is, as I mentioned, incredibly outgoing. I feel sorry for his fiance, Heather, because I know she won’t be able to take him anywhere without being stopped by everyone he passes, good luck at the reception line, Heather, wear comfortable shoes. My personal experience with Josh started when I came home from my mission and we started playing together. On the field, Josh is positive, collected and hard working. He is easily the oldest player on the team.

This morning, Josh showed his athletic prowess during our team snowshoeing activity in Aspen Grove when he went two rounds and nearly beat Mike Moreno in a wrestling match. Other epic battles included a Bindrup-Harrison throwdown and a contest of big men Bryson Pope and goalkeeper Brian Hale. Other semi-violent events included ruthless snowball fighting and a no-holds barred snowshoe race, which I won while the rest of the team was busy either tackling contenders or being tackled. For video coverage of the wrestling, check out our Facebook page.Tweet

The official 2012 PDL Team Roster:

Fall 2012 Players:

Cameron McCaughlin

Justin Ward

Sam Watkins

Ace Phillips

Peyden Pemberton

For continued updates and news about BYU Men’s Soccer follow us at our website www.byusoccer.com or at twitter @byusoccerTweet

Check back soon for the official 2012 team roster!

For more Cougar info follow us at www.byusoccer.com and at @byusoccer on twitter.Tweet

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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