OGDEN, Utah (July 16, 2011) — In the last road game of the 2011 PDL season the Ogden Outlaws (2-9-4) defeated the BYU (3-8-4) Cougars, 2-1 on Saturday night. It is the first Outlaws victory in Ogden versus the Cougars and third win in 22 games against BYU.

“Overall I felt we had the better run of play and we certainly had the chances,” said BYU head coach, Chris Watkins. “All the credit in the world to their keeper (Devin Zimmerman) who had a couple of amazing saves.”

The Cougars and Outlaws played a physical game for the first half an hour before BYU struck first with a goal by Oregon State transfer, David Gates in the 29th minute. It was Gates’ second goal of the year.

“David Gates continues to be a nice threat for us and had a great goal today,” said Watkins.

However, late in the first half the Outlaws got the equalizer in the 44th minute as Outlaw forward, Elias Hatungimana, chipped the ball over BYU goalkeeper, Cory Cosgrave.

In the second half BYU put Ogden on its heels but didn’t finish any shots. The game winning goal came in the 67th minute when former Cougar, Josh Patino knocked in a cross off a free kick to make it 2-1 Ogden.

The win gave the Outlaws their second victory of the season and was the fourth game played against BYU in 2011.

May 24 0-0  T (Watch the BYUtv Broadcast of this game)
May 28 1-0  W
July 2   1-1  T
July 16  1-2  L

BYU was 9-0-1 versus the Outlaws in Ogden going into the contest and after the loss the overall series record is 16-3-3.

Watch BYU’s final regular season game on Thursday, July 21 at 8 p.m MT in Provo. It will be live on BYUtv.Tweet

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

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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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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Jarom Jordan

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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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 (Feb. 26, 2011) — After a three day trial with 107 participants, Chris Watkins and the BYU coaching staff have a roster of 22 players for the upcoming summer Premier Development League season.

“It was a really good group, really deep,” said BYU head coach, Chris Watkins.  “We settled on 22 we are very happy with.  I’m excited to get to work with them.”

The roster includes nine returners from last year’s PDL roster, eight returned missionaries, two freshman who joined the team in the fall and three players who made the fall team and made Saturday’s final cut.

BYU’s five incoming freshman who are currently in high school will join the 22 when they graduate in June.  Two more returned missionaries, Jace Green and Mckay Corbett, will also join the team in April and May.

“It’s a very good class (of returned missionaries),” said Watkins.  “It’s a good group coming back.”

BYU’s spring exhibition schedule features a trip to UNLV at the end of March and a week in Puerto Rico in April.

“We’re young, there’s no doubt about that,” added Watkins.  “I’m excited.  We had a good fall with the core of this group who did a really good job of playing quickly, smart, and as a team.”

2011 PDL Roster
Connor Bassett
Colby Bauer
James Bindrup
Will Burton
Tyler Christiansen
Doug Clark
Cory Cosgrave
Easton Folster
Garrett Gee
Sterling Hancock
Scott Heaton
Jonathan Junca
Matt Kimball
Junior Lartey
Garrett Losee
Ethan Meyer
Mike Moreno
Toni Niccoli
BJ Pugmire
Jantzen Romney
Lance Smith
Derek Taylor

Incoming Freshman
Dallin Cutler
Josh Hunter
Trevor Lesueur
Jerry Dearden
Winstron Sorthaitz

Watch an interview with Chris Watkins and two videos from the photo shoot, Saturday night in the Indoor Practice Facility on campus.

Follow the Cougars on:
Official Website-www.byusoccer.com
Twitter-www.twitter.com/byusoccer
YouTube-www.youtube.com/byumensoccerTweet

TAMPA, Florida (Feb. 18, 2011) — The Premier Development League announced its 2011 schedule, including 16 games for the BYU Cougars. All 16 games are against southwest division opponents.

“We’re excited to have finalized our schedule,” said BYU head coach, Chris Watkins.  “The same great PDL teams will really challenge us again this summer.”

The schedule is highlighted with home and away matchups against the 2010 division champion, Ventura County Fusion, as well as two home and two road games with the Ogden Outlaws.

BYU begins the season with a two-game road trip in three days at Fresno and Orange County on May 12 and 14.  The home opener is Friday, May 20 against Fresno followed by a rare Tuesday game against Ogden.  The May schedule is rounded out by a trip to Ogden the same week on May 28.

In June the Cougars play six games, beginning with Orange County and Southern California on back-to-back nights on June 10 and 11, both at home.  The next weekend the Cougars travel to play Hollywood and Southern California on June 17 and 18 then return to Provo to face Ventura County and Los Angeles  at the Stadium at South Field on June 23 and 25.

July 2 the Cougars play the Ogden Outlaws a second time at home, during 4th of July weekend, then travel to face Ventura County and Los Angeles on July 8 and 9.  BYU plays its last road game on July 16 at Ogden then the home and regular season finale is July 21 against Hollywood.

As the top U23 men’s league in North America, the PDL provides elite collegiate players the opportunity to taste a higher level of competition while maintaining their eligibility. In addition to league play, PDL teams compete in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup as well as various exhibitions. The USL Premier Development League has proven to be an important stepping-stone for top professionals now playing throughout the world.
The PDL features 64 teams in four geographic conferences and nine divisions.  The Eastern Conference features three divisions while the Southern, Central and Western Conferences feature two divisions each.  PDL clubs will play 16-game schedules in 2011, eight home and eight away.

Nine new teams joined the PDL for 2011, including the Akron Metro FC Summit Assault, Fredericksburg Hotspur, Hamilton FC Rage, FC Jax Destroyers, North Sound SeaWolves, RGV Grandes, River City Rovers and WSA Winnipeg.  Also new to the PDL for 2011 are the Real Maryland Monarchs, who spent their three previous seasons in the USL Second Division.

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BJ Pugmire and the Cougars play Weber State, Friday at 6 p.m. (Daily Universe)

PROVO, Utah (Oct. 6, 2010) — BYU and its alumni are preparing for a weekend of reunion and matches as the Cougars play Weber State, this Friday at 6 p.m. and the Alumni play Utah Valley at 8 p.m. at South Field. Tickets go for $5 each for the first game, while the second game is free. The Alumni will also play each other Saturday at 12 p.m. for free.

“I know they (Weber State) always play us really well,” said BYU head coach, Chris Watkins. “They bring out a good team. They really compete hard against us and that’s what we need right now. It’s a great match for us.”

BYU is 1-0 in the fall season after a 3-1 win against Utah State on September 24. Senior defender, Tyler Christiansen gave the Cougars the lead three minutes into the game. Jantzen Romney added a goal before the half for the game-winner and Kip Critchlow scored in the second half to seal the victory.

“I think we are probably a better team than we were a year ago,” said Watkins. “I like our team now for sure. The difference now is we struggle to score goals. Any game is competitive if you struggle to score goals. It’s not life or death to win or lose. It’s really important for us to play well and show improvement.”

In 2009 the two teams tied 1-1 in a double overtime draw. Blake Tillotson scored for BYU in the first half and Weber State’s Kyle Christensen scored in the 83rd minute for the tie. The Wildcats are a club team competing in the National Intramural-Recreational Sports Association. The Wildcats won the national championship in 2009. BYU competed in the same league prior to 2003.

“We’ve got a lot to prove,” said senior forward, BJ Pugmire. “This year everyone is coming back really committed. Weber is a very physical team. They’re the club national champions. They’ve got a good resume. They’re a good team. They’ll be the best competition we’ve played thus far but I’m pretty confident in the way we are playing right now that we’ll be able to show well and dominate possession as usual.”

Prior to BYU’s entrance into the Premier Development League in 2003, the Cougars won seven national titles between 1993 and 2001. BYU expects 45-50 alumni to return to Provo for a game or two of action plus a close up look at the 2010 fall team and some fund raising opportunities.

“It’s a fun weekend for a lot of us,” said Watkins. “It’s good for our players to see and appreciate the alumni.”

The Cougars wrap up the fall season with a game against Utah Valley next Friday, October 15 at 7 p.m. in Provo.

Follow the Cougars on www.byusoccer.com and www.twitter.com/byusoccer.

Quick Facts
What: Men’s Soccer — Weber State @ BYU
When: Friday, Oct. 8 at 6 p.m.
Where: The Stadium at South Field in Provo, Utah

What: Men’s Soccer — Utah Valley @ BYU Alumni
When: Friday, Oct. 8 at 8 p.m.
Where: The Stadium at South Field in Provo, Utah

What: Men’s Soccer — BYU Alumni vs. BYU Alumni
When: Saturday, Oct. 9 at 12 p.m.
Where: Haws FieldTweet

Catch up with the BYU men’s soccer team at practice today by listening to head coach, Chris Watkins and senior forward, BJ Pugmire. They discuss the practice conditions, the new faces of the fall season, and the upcoming matchup with Weber State this weekend.

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