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Jarom Jordan

PROVO, Utah (June 18, 2010) – The BYU Cougars picked up their first home victory and second win of the season with a 2-1 decision, Friday night against the Southern California Seahorses.  BYU is now 2-4-2 while Southern California evens out at 4-4-0.

“That was nice,” said BYU head coach, Chris Watkins.  “I felt like we deserved to win tonight.  It meant a lot to the guys because we’ve played well but not had results.  Hopefully this is something we can build on.”

“The first half I thought we did really well,” said senior midfielder, Brent Jensen.  “We created some good chances.  Playing down a man in the second half, we did an awesome job.  I’m really proud of how well our team played.”

Brent Jensen scored his first goal of the season, Friday night. (BYU Photo)

The Cougars scored first for the second time this season, in 33rd minute with a world-class goal from Brent Jensen.  The senior midfielder volleyed a rocket from 25 yards away that hit the inside netting.  Jensen scored his first goal of the season and fifth of his career.  “That probably would have been the goal of the World Cup if it had happened in the World Cup,” said Watkins.

At the end of the first half Jensen was called for his second yellow of the game, resulting in a red card.  It was his first career red card.

Despite playing down a man for the remaining 45 minutes, the Cougars added another goal in the 66th minute.  Kip Critchlow made a run down the left flank, jumped over a tackle, and sent in a cross to Toni Niccoli in the penalty area who put away his team-leading, third goal of the season.  “Kip had a fantastic run.  Toni did a great job of staying in the biggest gap and found time and space to slot it in,“ said Watkins.

Southern California scored in the 89th minute to make things interesting after Jacob Ravenscraft scored on a right-footed flick for his team-leading, third goal of the year.

BYU’s two wins this season have come against the Seahorses.  The Cougars now prepare for division leading, Orange County Saturday night.  Watch the broadcast live on BYU Television or www.byu.tv at 8 p.m. MT

Starters:
GK: Bryan Black
D: Cameron Lamb, KC Whitworth, James Bindrup (Doug Clark 78’), Tyler Christiansen
M: Brit Osborne (Pedro Vasconcelos 57’), Brent Jensen, Kip Critchlow
F:  Brady Marshall (Matt Rider 45’), Toni Niccoli (65’), BJ Pugmire (Blake Tillotson 63’, Jantzen Romney 87’)

Attendance: 471

Cautions/Ejections:
BYU  4’  Brent Jensen (Y)
BYU  45’ Brent Jensen (Y)
BYU  51’  Cameron Lamb (Y)
BYU  59’  James Bindrup (Y)
SoCal  60’  Joel Bagby (Y)
BYU  88’  Jantzen Romeny (Y)

Notes:
-Bryan Black took Britton Osborne’s co-captain’s arm band when he subbed out
-BYU won its first home game of 2010
-BYU scored first for the second time this year and is now 2-0-0 when scoring first.
-The Cougars two victories haven come against Southern California
-BYU went 179 minutes without allowing a goal before Jacob Ravencrafts goal in the 89th minute.
-Brent Jensen scored his first goal of the season
-Kip Critchlow had his second assist of the season
-Toni Niccoli scored his third goal of the yearTweet

BYU practiced on South Field today.  It was windy and cold today in Provo.  Isn’t it May?  Gee wiz.

Here’s a couple of videos with senior midfielder, Brent Jensen and junior forward, BJ Pugmire.

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