Jarom Jordan
Media Relations Director
jarom.jordan@byu.edu

PROVO, Utah (March 26, 2010) — The BYU men’s soccer team will head south on I-15 this weekend to play the UNLV Rebels in Las Vegas in preparation for the Premier League Development season on Saturday, March 27 at 11 a.m. pacific time.

The game will be played at Johan Soccer Stadium.  Admission is free.  The BYU women’s team will also play UNLV, at 9 a.m.

The Cougars defeated Mesa State twice last Saturday in Grand Junction, Colorado in the team’s first pre-season games.  The Cougars won the first game 3-0 on goals from BJ Pugmire (‘13), Zach DeFrancis (‘16), and Brady Marshall (‘56).  In the second game the Cougars won 2-1.

“It was a good chance for us to try some new things out,” said coach, Chris Watkins.  ”We are excited to measure our progress again this week.  Last week we were able to keep the ball pretty well with only three midfielders.  We’ll see how we do against a little better competition.  It’s early but we are training well.”

PREVIEWING THE COUGARS
The Cougars begin the PDL regular season May 8 at the Orange County Blue Star before returning to Provo for its first home against the Los Angeles Legends on May 21.

2009 REVIEW
BYU finished 7-5-4 overall, in fourth position in the division and just one spot out of the playoffs. Despite some major injuries the Cougars defeated Southwest Division champion, Hollywood Hitmen, 1-0 and tied eventual PDL champ, Ventura County 2-2. Seven starters return this season, including goal keeper, Bryan Black, veteran defenders, KC Whitworth and Drew VanWagenen, and forwards Zach DeFrancis, Brady Marshall, and BJ Pugmire. The Cougars lost seven players to graduation, including All-PDL Western Conference Honorable Mention, Richie Bindrup.

FOLLOW THE COUGARS ONLINE
Check out the Cougars on twitter at www.twitter.com/byusoccer or on the official website at www.byusoccer.com.

QUICK FACTS
Who: Brigham Young University vs. University of Nevada-Las Vegas
When: Saturday, March 27 at 11 a.m. MT
Where: Johan Soccer Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada

Senior defender, KC Whitworth and the Cougars will play UNLV in a pre-season game Saturday at 11 a.m.