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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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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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

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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.

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