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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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.

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

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.

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

It was a very difficult loss on Friday night, and I know the team is anxious to move forward and play again tomorrow against Ogden. It’s important to quickly learn from mistakes and move on to the next game, especially early in the season. As a staff, we constantly remind our players to be confident, even if they miss an opportunity to score or tackle a ball, forget about the past and move on to the next opportunity.

At Monday morning’s practice, the team spent time watching film, then working on a few changes for tomorrow night and it was clear how motivated the players were to prove themselves and get a win tomorrow. Go Cougs!Tweet

Box Score

Video: BYU Coach – Chris Watkins Postgame

PROVO, Utah (May 20, 2011) — In BYU’s Premier Development League home opener, the Cougars lost 3-0 to the Fresno Fuego Friday night. BYU is now 5-2-1 on the year and 0-2-1 in the PDL.

“I’m obviously very disappointed,” said head coach, Chris Watkins. “It’s always going to be tough. We need to play with more energy and more belief in ourselves.”

The undefeated Fresno side started the game with a bang, scoring in the first 10 seconds off the kickoff. Jose Cuevas launched a ball at BYU’s backline that took a perfect bounce to the path of striker, Gustavo Silva who evaded one defender who slipped on the wet grass and beat another one to put his first goal of the season in the back of the net.

The Cougars had solid possession in the midfield for the next 25 minutes until a foul created a set piece opportunity outside BYU’s box in the 27th minute for the Fuego. Gastavo Cignetti blasted a strike into the upper left part of the net, beyond the diving reach of Cougar goalkeeper, Cory Cosgrave off the free kick to go ahead 2-0.

BYU rebounded with great pace and momentum resulting in its best offensive chance of the half when Scott Heaton made a great cross to BJ Pugmire who missed an open net when he hit the post a minute before the halftime whistle.

Two minutes into the second half, Fresno sub, Tyler Reinhart scored his second goal of the season as he received a pass in the air from Gastavo Cignetti, then controlled it, cut back and ripped a third goal through the net for the Fuego.

BYU exhausted its six subs for fresh legs and had great looks at times but were shutout at home for the first time in five games. The Cougars connected 352 passes in the game. BYU is now 4-3-2 in PDL home openers alltime.

“We played a lot better the (on May 12 versus Fresno),” said Watkins. “We need to believe in ourselves. We have to know that we can go toe to toe with teams otherwise it’s going to be a long season.”

Fresno won both meetings this season, 2-0 on May 12 and 3-0 on May 20. The Cougars now prepare for the Ogden Outlaws on Tuesday, May 24. The game will be live on BYUtv.Tweet

PROVO, Utah (May 19, 2011) — BYU sophomore defender, Junior Lartey (pronounced LA-tay) was honorably mentioned on the USL Premier Development League Team of the Week today for the week of May 8-14.

He started both games last week as the Cougars opened the PDL season on the road against the Fresno Fuego on May 12 and the Orange County Blue Star on May 14.

Lartey and the Cougars lost to Fresno 2-0 and held the Blue Star to a 1-1 draw after Orange County had scored nine goals in its first two games. He has logged 162 minutes in two games and has recorded a shot, four fouls, and a yellow card.

Here’s a link to the full PDL release.Tweet