We have another Noob this week, Romy Lakip. Like Josh, he isn’t really new, because he was with us in the fall, and it seems like I’ve known him for an eternity because he’s my roommate. As a soccer player, Romy is like a fine Chevre, mature, smooth, a great finishing touch and acidic on defense. Chevre is goat cheese, and – like Romy – it’s delicious. For those of you who don’t speak metaphor or don’t like cheese, Romy is the perfect center-mid. He can hold the ball as long as is necessary and place it, made to order, anywhere you want, with either foot, including in the back of the net.

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.

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PROVO, Utah (July 12, 2011) — The BYU Cougars will play its in-state rival, Ogden Outlaws this Saturday, July 16 at Bonneville High School in Ogden. Kickoff is at 6 p.m. mountain time.

“We’re excited to play against Ogden,” said BYU head coach, Chris Watkins. “We’ve played well against them in the past. Obviously we haven’t gotten the result we’ve wanted every time.”

The two teams meet for the fourth time this season with BYU going 1-0-2 in those games. The Cougars lead the series 16-2-3 and are 9-0-1 at Ogden.

May 24  0-0 T (Watch the BYUtv Broadcast of this game)
May 28  1-0 W
July 2    1-1 T

“There’s no love loss,” said Watkins. “We’ve had the better of them in general. I think they are anxious to prove themselves and I think our guys are pretty hungry too. It will probably be another tough, physical matchup.”

It is the final road game of the 2011 season for the Cougars who are 2-3-2 away from Provo with a -5 goal differential. The Cougars are currently in fifth place with 13 points (3-7-4 overall) while Ogden is 1-9-4 with seven points and in seventh place.

BYU had a strong weekend in Southern California last weekend, losing 1-0 in a well-played but disappointing loss to the division leading, Ventura County Fusion on Friday. Saturday the Cougars recorded their third win of the season with a 1-0 result against the Los Angeles Legends.

BJ Pugmire leads the Cougars with five goals and an assist this season. He’s is 4/4 on penalty kicks. The Cougars have a chance to eclipse last year’s win total of four games by winning their remaining two games to reach five. BYU season and home finale is Thursday, July 21 against the LA Blues 23. That game will be broadcast live on BYUtv at 8 p.m. MT.

“At the beginning of the season I don’t think we were playing our best,” said defender, Sterling Hancock. “We lost the ball a lot. Now we are better. We are keeping the ball and we’re creating a lot more chances.

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 scholarships.

Follow the Cougars on www.byusoccer.com and @byusoccer on Twitter.
GAME #15 FAST FACTS
BYU Cougars (3-7-4) vs. Ogden Outlaws (1-9-4)
Saturday, July 16, 2011 at 6 p.m. MT
Bonneville High School in Ogden, UtahTweet

BJ Pugmire scored his fifth goal of the season. (Daily Universe)

Box Score

LOS ANGELES, California (July 9, 2011) — BYU (3-7-4) won its third game of the season Saturday night with a 1-0 victory on the road versus the Los Angeles Legends (1-10-1). The win puts BYU in fifth place with 13 points in the Southwest Division.

“We had a great effort on a back-to-back game,” said BYU head coach, Chris Watkins. “I’m impressed with how hard we play every game. Ethan Meyer was great for us tonight.”

Meyer and the Cougars played over an hour of scoreless soccer before forward, Garrett Losee drew a foul in the penalty area resulting in a BJ Pugmire penalty kick to put BYU up 1-0 in the 66th minute.

“I actually felt more pressure than I normally do because of the flow of the game,” said BJ Pugmire. “Now that I’ve done it a lot of times, I pick my spot and I feel comfortable going there.”

The goal was Pugmire’s fifth of the season, four of which have come via the penalty spot (4/4 in 2011). His team leading five goals is the highest for a BYU Cougar since Zach De Francis scored eight in 2008.

Minutes after the PK goal the game got ugly when Legends forward, Victor Raygoza, punched BYU defender Ethan Meyer in the face, resulting in a red card. Ten minutes later, Legends midfielder Abdou Liassou hit BYU midfielder, Colby Bauer for his second yellow and ejection from the game. The Cougars held on for the shutout victory.

“We kept it organized with a lot of talking with the midfielders,” said Meyer. “It means a lot to just win. We’re a good team. I believe we are talented but our record doesn’t show that. It’s always a good thing for us.”

The victory over the Legends marks a series sweep and a chance to finish the season strong with two games remaining.

“It feels good,” said Pugmire. “Today we won. It’s relaxing and we had a good time. Hopefully we can end with two more wins so we can improve from last season.”

Follow the Cougars on www.byusoccer.com and @byusoccer on Twitter.?Tweet

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

After one of the most disappointing losses of the season on Thursday night, we were able to bounce back with an impressive win.  The mood of practice today was positive, energetic, and confidence-building.  With several games to go, the players are excited to finish the season strong.  It is interesting to see how a win can give new life to a team.

This year our team has grown close while cultivating a never-give-up attitude.  Now, more than ever, we will move forward with the confidence than we can fight through anything.  Part of what Coach Watkin’s is trying to do here with the BYU soccer team is create winners both on and off the field.  I think that his ongoing confidence in our team has reminded us that, as Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, “Our greatest glory is not in never failing, but in rising up every time we fail”.

Doug Clark’s goal on Saturday was one of the best I’ve seen at BYU and, thus far in the season, its the clear winner of goal of the year.  Unfortunately, Doug’s goal-scoring celebration was not as impressive!  Toni Nicolli finally got married in Seattle this weekend.  We are all very happy not only about his marriage, but also because we don’t have to hear him brag to all the single guys.  Ethan Meyer is home in Dallas this week spending some quality time with his family before he leaves on his mission.  He will be missed on the field; however, since he received his fifth yellow card on Saturday he wouldn’t have able to play this weekend anyway.

Anyway, we are all excited to play Ogden this weekend.  Our rivalry with the Ogden Outlaws always promises excitement!  That’s all for now, and for those of you who watched the game on Saturday on BYUtv, I am going to go meditate. . .Tweet

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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Garrett Losee and the Cougars look to win a home game this weekend. (Daily Universe)

Full PDF Game Notes

PROVO, Utah (June 22, 2011) — BYU will attempt to get its first home win of the season and first victory versus the Ventura County Fusion on Thursday, June 23 and Los Angeles Legends on Saturday, June 25. Both games kickoff at 8 p.m. mountain time and will be on BYUtv and www.byutv.org/live.

“We are excited to improve our season this weekend,” said midfielder, Connor Bassett. “We have a great opportunity to play Ventura this Thursday night. We are a good team and we are anxious to prove it.”

UP NEXT
The Cougars will play the Ogden Outlaws on July 2 in Provo.

COUGAR QUICK HITS
-BYU welcomes back 10 returned missionaries from two year LDS missions across the globe for the 2011 season who were on the team prior to their missions in 2008. Those include Colby Bauer (Oregon), Will Burton (Mexico), Easton Folster (Argentina), Scott Heaton (Japan), Jonathan Junca (Chile), Garrett Losee (Puerto Rico), Mike Moreno (San Diego), Derek Taylor (New Jersey), McKay Corbett (Canada), and Jace Green.

-Five starters return to the team including BJ Pugmire, Tyler Christiansen, Toni Niccoli, Doug Clark, and James Bindrup.

-Seven of BYU’s eight home games will be televised live nationally on BYUtv and online at www.byutv.org/live.

-The Cougars went 3-0 in the fall season with victories against Utah State, Weber State, and Utah Valley. In the spring non-conference season the Cougars beat UNLV on the road, Utah Valley at home, and defeated three Puerto Rico professional clubs (Mayaguez, Fenix, and Bayamon) to go 5-0.

-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 scholarships.

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

Several good things happened this weekend in California. First off, Doug Clark slid into the starting line up on the back line which provided a nice offensive threat. Doug has great vision of the field and can play a dangerous ball forward, while also helping to establish possession with his skill on the ball. Another positive note was the bounce back from the team after a tough loss on Friday night. I can honestly say that I’ve never been more proud of our team this year than on Saturday night after the 0-0 draw with the Seahorses.

The energy and effort was fantastic all night, despite having played 90 minutes the night before, while the Seahorses were completely fresh from not having a game during the week. Both teams had plenty of opportunities and Cory Cosgrave came up with huge saves for us. Despite not putting a goal away, we were clearly more aggressive and confident as we played forward and walking off the field after 90 minutes was a proud moment for our team. We would have loved to win with a goal, but the improvement from Friday to Saturday night was awesome. Obviously the next step is to finish our opportunities and luckily we have a quick turnaround with our game this Thursday night against Ventura. Go Cougs!Tweet

Cory Cosgrave recorded his third shutout of the season. (Daily Universe)

Jarom Jordan

LA MIRADA, California (June 18, 2011) — Despite giving up three goals to Southern California at home a week ago, BYU held the Seahorses scoreless on the road Saturday night to earn a 0-0 tie.

“It was a fun game to watch,” said BYU assistant coach, Chad Sackett. “It was competitive. Both teams did well. We connected and did what we haven’t pushed through recently.”

The game was highlighted by three spectacular saves by BYU goalkeeper, Cory Cosgrave. The most notable save came with just four minutes to go when Southern California whipped a shot at goal from just outside the box that Cosgrave grabbed out of midair before a Seahorse forward go put away any rebound.

“Cory had three huge saves for us tonight,” said Sackett. “He came up big time for us.”

“We all came together,” said senior goalkeeper, Cory Cosgrave. “Will Burton went down. Ethan Meyer and Doug Clark stepped up for us. Everyone on the team this trip realized we need each other to succeed.”

Next week BYU returns to Provo for a pair of home games against the Ventura County Fusion (Thursday, June 23) and Los Angeles Legends (Saturday, June 25). Both kickoff at 8 p.m. mountain time and will be broadcast live on BYUtv and www.byutv.org/live.

POSTGAME NOTES
ROAD WARRIORS
BYU is now 1-2-2 with five points on the road this year. Five of BYU’s six total points have come away from Provo, earning a tie versus Orange County, a win at Ogden, and tonight’s tie.

SHUTOUT SHOUT OUT
In 2010 BYU recorded two shutouts. Through nine games in 2011 BYU has earned three shutouts. Tonight’s tie was the first against a team not named “Ogden” since June 5, 2010 against the Ventura County Fusion, the year after they won the Premier Development League championship.

2011 Shutouts
May 24  Ogden         0-0 T
May 28  @ Ogden    1-0 W
June 18 @ So. Cal  0-0 T

180 MINUTES
During the last two seasons BYU has shutout the Seahorses on the road, earning a 2-0 win last season and a 0-0 tie on Saturday night.

SERIES UPDATE
Tonight’s game was the 12th in series history. Southern California leads 6-5-1 but BYU is now 4-1-1 since 2006.Tweet

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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