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

OGDEN, Utah (July 17, 2010) — The BYU Cougars only won four games during the 2010 season but they will end the year on a winning streak.  Saturday night at Bonneville High School in Ogden the Cougars defeated the Ogden Outlaws, 3-1 to finish the year with a 4-10-2 record.

“I’m impressed with the players resilience,” said BYU head coach, Chris Watkins.  “It would have been easy to fold the tent when Ogden scored the first goal.  It was heart breaking.  It took a while to bounce back, after halftime. I don’t know where it comes from.  It was impressive.”

Toni Niccoli won the BYU "Golden Boot" Saturday versus Ogden. (BYU Photo)

It was the Cougars second, 3-1 win against Ogden as both games produced an unanswered, three goal, come from behind win.

True to form this season, BYU gave up the first goal for the twelfth time in sixteen contests.  Midfielder, Collin Harrison found the back of the net in the 28th minute after a corner kick popped up to him where he promptly ripped a volley past Cougar keeper, Cory Cosgrave to lead 1-0.

Despite trailing at the intermission, the Cougars were hopeful of a comeback in the final game of the year.

“We went into halftime saying ‘what the heck?’  We were the better team,” said freshman forward, Toni Niccoli.  “We’ve had the trend to drop a goal in the first half.  It felt great to come back and get a win, especially against Ogden.  They are our rivals and the subs that came in really made a difference.  Our starters did a good job of wearing them down.  Things blew right open.  For probably 15 minutes we were unstoppable.”

Freshman midfielder, Pedro Vasconcelos scored his first goal versus Ogden. (BYU Photo)

In the 70th minute, Trevor Henderson set up Janzten Romney for the equalizer.  It was Henderson’s first assist of the year and second goal for Romney.  Just five minutes later, Romney returned the favor, this time to Toni Niccoli in the six yard box who slotted his team-leading fourth goal of the year that was the eventual game-winner and gave him the team “Golden Boot” this season.

“I’m excited we got a win and finished the season like we did,” said Niccoli.  “It was exciting to win.  To win the golden boot with four goals, I kind of had to chuckle at myself.  I was happy to contribute to the team this year.”

“Toni is our most comfortable player in front of the net,” said Watkins.  “It’s great that he took the golden boot.  I hope he wins it again next year, but has 14 goals.”

Just two minutes later, in the 77th minute, Kip Critchlow made one of his patented runs to the end line where he connected on his team-leading sixth assist of the year and first goal for Brazilian freshman midfielder, Pedro Vasconcelos to take a commanding, 3-1 lead.

“Pedro’s goal was fantastic,” said Watkins.  “He settled us down with his passing.  We only wanted 25 minutes out of him but he was great for 25 minutes.”

BYU will now break until September when the team will have a fall tryout and exhibition schedule in preparation for next season.

“2010 was probably our most difficult season ever.  We thought we were a good team.  We didn’t score goals.  We did a good job of keeping our heads up and not giving up.  We learned a lot and there are things we can take with us in the future.”

Post Game Notes:
-Both of Janzten Romney’s goals came against Ogden this season
-BYU won for the second time in 12 tries this year when the opponent scored first
-The Cougars won for the second time in 10 games, after trailing at the half
-Three of BYU’s four wins came on a Saturday
-All four of BYU’s win required 2+ goalsTweet

Jarom Jordan

Click here for complete game notes (PDF)

PROVO, Utah (July 13, 2010) — BYU will plays its final two games of the season this week, with senior night on Friday.  The Cougars play the Fresno Fuego in Provo on Friday, July 15 at 8 p.m. and the Ogden Outlaws on Saturday, July 16 at Bonneville High School at 6 p.m.  Friday’s game will be live on BYUtv and www.byutv.org/live with Jarom Jordan, Hugh Van Wagenen, and Aaron Nilsson on the mic.

BYU is 3-9-2 with 11 points in eighth place out of nine teams in the Premier Development League’s Southwest Division and out of playoff contention.  The Cougars lost a pair of games last weekend to Hollywood, 3-1 and Ventura County, 2-1 at home.  Britton Osborne, Brady Marshall, and Toni Niccoli have each scored three goals and combined for nine of the teams 13 goals this year.

Senior night is Friday versus Fresno. (BYU Photo)

Five seniors will play their final home games for BYU on Friday night.  They are KC Whitworth, Drew Van Wagenen, Bryan Black, Britton Osborne, and Brent Jensen.

The Fugeo is in fourth place at 6-4-3 and 21 points.  Fresno won 1-0 in the first meeting this season with a penalty kick in the 67th minute by Fabricio Codeceiro on June 24 at home.  Codeceira leads the team with seven goals and four assists, followed by Milton Blanco’s six goals and three assists.  The Fuego lead the series, 4-3 with a +6 goal differential (16-10).  Fresno has won two of the last three meetings and won the first two meetings back in 2003.  The Fuego won the most important meeting between the two squads in the 2007 Western Conference Final, 3-0.  BYU is 1-1 in Provo and 2-3 in Fresno.

“Fresno was a great team when we played them,” said BYU assistant coach, Clay Christenson.  “They had a lot of control of the ball in the middle.  They’ve got some talented players.  I think the advantage we have is that they’ll play the night before in Ogden.  Hopefully they’ll be a little worn down.  We’re at our home field with home fans.  Senior night is a special night.  I think guys give a little bit extra.”

“They (Fresno) are a very skillful team,” said senior midfielder, Britton Osborne.  “They are very good at keeping the ball but we can get our chances.  They’re good offensively but defensively they are not a very good team. They’ve had a lot of goals scored on them.  We need to score first and then I think it will be an easier game for us.”

Ogden is 2-8-2 with eight points and in last place in the division.  BYU won the first meeting this year, 3-1 on July 3.  Andrew Cornia and Kenan Powell lead the Outlaws with three goals a piece.  Triston Sommerville leads the team with four assists to go along with two goals.  BYU leads the series 14-2-1 with a +16 goal differential.  The Cougars used to meet their in-state rivals 3-4 times a year but 2010 marks the first equal scheduling among the eight Southwest Division teams playing each other twice, home and away.  BYU has won four in a row against the Outlaws and are 7-2-0 in Provo and 7-0-1 in Ogden.

“We’re excited for Ogden,” said Christenson.  “It’s the last game of the season.  If I remember correctly, I don’t think we’ve ever lost on their home field (7-0-1). I think the guys will be ready to play, especially those guys who will be ending their career’s.”

“We had an awful game (the first time against Ogden) and still came out with a win,” said Osborne.  “I’m expecting a win.  I think we’re a better team.”

QUICK FACTS
Who: Fresno Fuego vs. BYU Cougars
When: Friday, July 16 at 8 p.m. MT
Where: The Stadium at South Field in Provo, Utah
TV: Live on BYUtv or www.byutv.org/live (Jarom Jordan, Hugh Van Wagenen, Aaron Nilsson)

Who: BYU Cougars vs. Ogden Outlaws
When: Saturday, July 17 at 6 p.m. MT
Where: Bonneville High School in Ogden, Utah

PREMIER DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE
After winning seven club national championships, Brigham Young University joined the Premier Development League in 2003. The Cougars reached the elite eight in 2006 and 2007. The PDL is the top U23 men’s league in North America and features 68 teams within four conferences across the United States and Canada. The PDL season consists of 16 regular season matches for each team, eight home and eight away. The PDL provides elite collegiate players the opportunity to taste a higher level of competition while maintaining their eligibility. BYU is the first and only university to own a franchise in the PDL. In addition to league play, PDL teams compete in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup as well as various exhibitions. The United Soccer Leagues Premier Development League has proven to be an important stepping stone for top professionals now playing around the world.

PREMIER DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE
Check out the Cougars on twitter at www.twitter.com/byusoccer or on the official website at www.byusoccer.com.Tweet