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

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Jarom Jordan

PROVO, Utah (June 18, 2010) – The BYU Cougars picked up their first home victory and second win of the season with a 2-1 decision, Friday night against the Southern California Seahorses.  BYU is now 2-4-2 while Southern California evens out at 4-4-0.

“That was nice,” said BYU head coach, Chris Watkins.  “I felt like we deserved to win tonight.  It meant a lot to the guys because we’ve played well but not had results.  Hopefully this is something we can build on.”

“The first half I thought we did really well,” said senior midfielder, Brent Jensen.  “We created some good chances.  Playing down a man in the second half, we did an awesome job.  I’m really proud of how well our team played.”

Brent Jensen scored his first goal of the season, Friday night. (BYU Photo)

The Cougars scored first for the second time this season, in 33rd minute with a world-class goal from Brent Jensen.  The senior midfielder volleyed a rocket from 25 yards away that hit the inside netting.  Jensen scored his first goal of the season and fifth of his career.  “That probably would have been the goal of the World Cup if it had happened in the World Cup,” said Watkins.

At the end of the first half Jensen was called for his second yellow of the game, resulting in a red card.  It was his first career red card.

Despite playing down a man for the remaining 45 minutes, the Cougars added another goal in the 66th minute.  Kip Critchlow made a run down the left flank, jumped over a tackle, and sent in a cross to Toni Niccoli in the penalty area who put away his team-leading, third goal of the season.  “Kip had a fantastic run.  Toni did a great job of staying in the biggest gap and found time and space to slot it in,“ said Watkins.

Southern California scored in the 89th minute to make things interesting after Jacob Ravenscraft scored on a right-footed flick for his team-leading, third goal of the year.

BYU’s two wins this season have come against the Seahorses.  The Cougars now prepare for division leading, Orange County Saturday night.  Watch the broadcast live on BYU Television or www.byu.tv at 8 p.m. MT

Starters:
GK: Bryan Black
D: Cameron Lamb, KC Whitworth, James Bindrup (Doug Clark 78’), Tyler Christiansen
M: Brit Osborne (Pedro Vasconcelos 57’), Brent Jensen, Kip Critchlow
F:  Brady Marshall (Matt Rider 45’), Toni Niccoli (65’), BJ Pugmire (Blake Tillotson 63’, Jantzen Romney 87’)

Attendance: 471

Cautions/Ejections:
BYU  4’  Brent Jensen (Y)
BYU  45’ Brent Jensen (Y)
BYU  51’  Cameron Lamb (Y)
BYU  59’  James Bindrup (Y)
SoCal  60’  Joel Bagby (Y)
BYU  88’  Jantzen Romeny (Y)

Notes:
-Bryan Black took Britton Osborne’s co-captain’s arm band when he subbed out
-BYU won its first home game of 2010
-BYU scored first for the second time this year and is now 2-0-0 when scoring first.
-The Cougars two victories haven come against Southern California
-BYU went 179 minutes without allowing a goal before Jacob Ravencrafts goal in the 89th minute.
-Brent Jensen scored his first goal of the season
-Kip Critchlow had his second assist of the season
-Toni Niccoli scored his third goal of the yearTweet

Jarom Jordan
jarom.jordan@byu.edu

Click here for a PDF of the complete game notes.

Cameron Lamb and the Cougars look to pick up the first win of the season, this weekend. (BYU Photo)

PROVO, Utah (May 27, 2010) — After losing a pair of games at home last weekend the BYU men’s soccer team looks to get back on track with a tilt against the Los Angeles Legends on Thursday, May 27 and game at the Southern California Seahorses on Saturday, May 29. Both games kickoff at 7 p.m. PT.

“We are excited to play again and our players and staff are anxious to prove ourselves with two road games,” said BYU head coach, Chris Watkins. “It’s never easy getting points on the road, but we are a good team that works hard, so we will always have a chance.”

The Legends (2-2-2) defeated BYU (0-2-1) last Friday 2-0 in Provo. Jesus Ochoa (12′) and Daniel Martinez (45′) scored for L.A. in the win. BYU is 0-2 all-time against L.A. losing 2-0 in both meetings (2009, 2010).

BYU is 2-5-1 all-time against the Seahorses. The two first met in 2003. The Cougars tied 3-3 on June 25 last season.

“I think our team just needs to look have fun this weekend,” said senior midfielder and co-captain, Britton Osborne. “I find we play our best when we are having fun. That is why we all play this game, because we love it. We have all the talent we could ask for, but we need the pressure of winning to be lifted from us. I look forward to playing with my boys again and proving to ourselves that we are capable of playing and beating anyone.”

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.

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: BYU Cougars vs. Los Angeles Legends
When: Thursday, May 27 at 7 p.m. PT
Where: Los Angeles, CA (Bishop Mora HS)

Who: BYU Cougars vs. Southern California Seahorses
When: Saturday, May 29 at 7 p.m. PT
Where: La Mirada, CA (Biola University)Tweet