VENTURA, California (July 8, 2011) — Despite 86 scoreless minutes, the BYU Cougars lost 1-0 to the defending division champion, Ventura County Fusion on Friday night.

“We clearly played well tonight,” said BYU head coach Chris Watkins. “They had one great shot and we didn’t.”

That shot came with four minutes left in regulation. Fusion forward, Gyasi Zardes slotted a shot from distance beyond the reach of BYU goalkeeper, Cory Cosgrave, for the game winner. Both of Zardes’ goals this season have been against the Cougars.

Friday’s win for the Fusion marks a season sweep with both game-winning goals being scored within the last four minutes of the game. BYU is 0-4-2 against VCF since the first meeting in 2009.

Ventura County continues to sit atop the Southwest Division standings with 31 points and is poised to make the playoffs for the third year in a row after winning the 2009 PDL Championship and the 2010 Southwest Division title.

The Cougars have a quick turnaround with a game Saturday night against a well rested Los Angeles Legends squad who haven’t played since July 3. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. at Caroline Coleman Stadium. The Cougars only home win of the season came on June 25 against the Legends in a 3-1 win (Watch the game here).

Follow the Cougars on www.byusoccer.com and @byusoccer on Twitter.Tweet

Jarom Jordan

Click Here for Complete Game Notes (PDF)

PROVO, Utah (July 6, 2010) — BYU plays its toughest pair of home games this season when it hosts the Hollywood United Hitmen Thursday, July 8 and Ventura County Fusion on Saturday, July 10 in Provo.  Both matches kickoff at 8 p.m. MT.  The Hitmen won the Premier Development League’s Southwest Division in 2009 and the Fusion won the PDL Championship last season.  BYUtv will broadcast both matches with Thursday’s live at 8 p.m. MT and Saturday’s tape delayed at 10 p.m. MT.  Catch both online at www.byutv.org/live.

“It’s going to take a humongous effort from us,” said BYU head coach, Chris Watkins.  “Both teams have tons of great players … We can play with great teams.  We have to play our very best.  We can do it but it takes a massive effort.”

BYU plays last year's Division and National Champions this week. (BYU Photo)

The Cougars snapped a three-game losing streak with a 3-1 victory over the Ogden Outlaws on July 3.  BYU scored a single-game season-high three goals, including two from junior forward, Brady Marshall.  The Cougars had scored eight goals in 11 games prior to the outburst versus the Outlaws.  BYU has four games remaining and is 3-7-2 with 11 points and in eighth place in the Southwest Division.  If BYU wins its remaining four games it will finish with a .500 record.  Toni Niccoli, Britton Osborne, and Marshall lead the team with three goals each.

“I think our scoring slump, while it may not be over, we’re getting better and better with our attacking players,” said Watkins.  “I’d be surprised if we get shutout this weekend.”

With some help and two wins, BYU could ascend to fifth place in the division by Saturday night.  The Cougars are not mathematically eliminated from the PDL playoffs (top two teams in the division qualify) but hope hangs by a string with the Cougars need to win its final four and get some major help.  The Cougars earned a win and tie out of this home stand in 2009.

Hollywood is 7-2-2, on a 6-game win streak, and in second place.  The Hitmen can climb to first with a pair of wins this weekend against BYU and Ogden.  The Hitmen are led by forward, Jaime Chavez who has seven goals and five assists this year.  BYU is 1-2 versus the Hitmen all-time with a 1-0 win in Provo in 2009 and a 3-0 loss on June 3 on the road.

The defending national champion, Ventura County Fusion is a point behind the Hitmen with 22 at 7-3-1 in the division.  The Fusion is led by former MLS player, Brent Whitfield who has seven goals in six games but he will not travel to Utah this weekend.  Five other players have scored two this year.  BYU is 0-1-2 with two ties in the last two meetings, including a 0-0 draw on June 5.

“I think we’ve found that confidence again,” said junior defender, Tyler Christiansen.  “That win against Ogden was good for us.  It’s really easy to get into that mode, the ball doesn’t bounce your way, to get real pessimistic real quick.  I think we’ve bounced that back.  We have a great chance to finish with a .500 record and in the middle of the table.  We still have a lot to play for.”

QUICK FACTS
Who: Hollywood United Hitmen vs. BYU Cougars
When: Thursday, July 8 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: Ventura County Fusion vs. BYU Cougars
When: Saturday, July 10 at 8 p.m. MT
Where: The Stadium at South Field in Provo, Utah
TV: Tape delayed on BYUtv or www.byutv.org/live (Jarom Jordan, Hugh Van Wagenen, Aaron Nilsson)

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.Tweet

Assistant Coach, Clay Christenson gives his weekly thoughts about the team on the blog known as “From the Box”.

We’re coming off a great win Saturday night.  It was nice to see our offense have a breakthrough game but there’s not much time to enjoy the victory because the upcoming weekend is the most important of the entire year. Both the Hollywood Hitmen and Ventura County Fusion are vying for the division crown, and desperately need a good result as well. We will be ready.  Every player on our team needs to be at the top of their game. With only two days of practice, the team will focus on what we do best—work. The only consistent success we’ve had this year has been our work rate.  We pride ourselves on out-working our opponents.

To be successful against two of the top teams in the league this weekend, we’ll have to overwhelm them with our energy and organization. No need for big pep talks, the players know what’s at stake and everyone is excited to showcase our talent.

Brady Marshall and the Cougars face Hollywood and Ventura this week in Provo. (BYU Photo)

Jarom Jordan

VENTURA, California (June 5, 2010) — The BYU Cougars tied the 2009 Premier Development League champion, Ventura County Fusion,  0-0 at Buena High School on Saturday night.  It was BYU’s first shutout of the season and first scoreless tie since June 16, 2006.

“We played really well,” said BYU head coach, Chris Watkins.  “It’s been a season where we’ve been working hard.  Tonight was no different.  Things came together pretty well for us.  To come so close on the road is a little heart breaking but I’m proud of our performance tonight.”

The Cougars took a point on the road from the 09' PDL Champions. (BYU Photo)

“It brought back a little bit of the memories of playing the U21 Mexican national team,” said assistant coach, Chad Sackett.  “Everyone from the bench players to the starters played hard.  We possessed the ball well.  Soccer’s a funny game.  The fact that it ends up 0-0 is a good result for us.”

Despite multiple runs at goal throughout the 90 minutes, BYU’s best scoring chance came on the final play of the game.  Three minutes into stoppage time the Cougars took a corner kick that found the feet of freshman midfielder, Pedro Vasconcelos.  The Brazilian curled the ball into the upper right corner of the goal, only to see Ventura goalkeeper, Bryan Hill get a pinky on the ball, bouncing it off the crossbar and out.  The Cougars were out shot 8-6 and out cornered 4-3 but put continued pressure on the defending champs.

“You look back and it’s a good result for us on the road,” said senior midfielder, Brent Jensen.  “It’s a little unfortunate because we had chances to win it.  It was a fun game to play in.  We look forward to playing them again and getting a win at our place.”

The Fusion’s best opportunity was in the 30th minute when a long throw-in was flicked to the far post where league leading goal scorer and former Chivas USA forward, Brent Whitfield headed the ball on frame.  Bryan Black made the save and ended up securing his first shutout of the season and sixth of his career.

“Hopefully this provides a great stepping stone for us forward,” said Watkins.

BYU will have a week off before preparing for the Southern California Seahorses on Friday, June 18 in Provo.

Starters (Substitutions):
GK: Bryan Black
D: KC Whitworth, Drew Van Wagenen, Tyler Christiansen, Cameron Lamb
M: Brent Jensen, Matt Rider, Pedro Vasconcelos
F: BJ Pugmire (Blake Tillotson), Brady Marshall, Toni Niccoli (Zach De Francis)

Cautions:
Ventura-Armando Guerrero (Y)
Ventura-Arthur Aghasyan (Y)

Notes:
-Regular starters Brit Osborne (injured quad) and James Bindrup (married yesterday) did not start
-Pedro Vasconcelos made his first career start
-The Cougars started two freshman in the midfield (Vasconcelos & Rider) who played together at East High School in Salt Lake City
-BYU gave up four goals at Ventura in 2009 and two goals at home (in a tie) but posted a shutout in the first meeting of 2010Tweet

Jarom Jordan
jarom.jordan@byu.edu

Click here for the complete PDF Game Notes

PROVO, Utah (June 2, 2010) — BYU hits the road for a second consecutive week to play the Hollywood United Hitmen on Thursday, June 3 and the Ventura County Fusion on Saturday, June 5.  Both kickoff at 7 p.m. PT.  The Hitmen won the Southwest Division and the Fusion won the Premier Development League championship in 2009.

“This is kind of like playing Real Madrid and FC Barcelona the same weekend,” said BYU head coach, Chris Watkins.  “These are probably two of the top 35 teams in the United States right now.  These will be tough games for us for sure.”

BYU (1-3-1) is 1-1 all-time against Hollywood (2-2-2), winning 1-0 at home and losing 4-0 on the road last season.  The Cougars are 0-1-1 against Ventura (4-2-0), tying 2-2 at home and losing 4-2 on the road last season.

Ventura is currently leading the division with 12 points in six games with a division leading four goals allowed and +9 goal differential.

Hollywood is in fourth place with eight points, has a +1 goal differential, and is tied for fifth with 10 goals allowed.

The Cougars are in eight place (out nine teams) with four points, are fifth in goal differential (-3), tied for second in goals allowed (8), and sixth in goals scored (5).

“We’re going to play two of the best teams in the league and pretty much in the country, for the PDL,” said senior defender, Drew Van Wagenen.  “They are going to be tough games.  We can’t have any lapses from minute one to minute 90.  We’ve got to be mentally and physically tough if we’re going to come out with a result from these games.”

The Cougars look to build on the first win of the 2010 season.  Last Saturday BYU defeated Southern California 2-0 on two goals in the first eighteen minutes.  The win snapped a three-game losing streak, the longest such streak since 2006.

“I’m really happy with the flow of the team right now and the way we knock the ball around,” said Watkins.  “A lot of our combination work in the midfield is pretty good.  Up front we haven’t combined as well as I’d like.  Certainly we haven’t finished the way I’d like.  There’s a lot of work to do.  I know we’re a lot better than our record shows.”

PREMIER DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE
After winning seven club national championships from 1993-2001, 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. Hollywood United Hitmen
When: Thursday, June 3 at 7 p.m. PT
Where: Palisades High School in Pacific Palisades, CA

Who: BYU Cougars vs. Ventura County Fusion
When: Saturday, June 5 at 7 p.m. PT
Where: Buena High School in Ventura, CATweet

Assistant Coach, Clay Christenson gives his weekly thoughts about the team on the blog known as “From the Box”.

This is a huge weekend for us. Hollywood and Ventura are two of the top teams in the division, and Ventura won the PDL Championship last year. Now that the season is in full swing, training a team of 25 guys is a little more tricky, especially because about half are playing significant minutes each weekend. We always tell the players who did not play, that they need to make up the fitness they missed, otherwise they fall way behind. We want to work hard at practice, but not overdue it, because we need everyone fresh for the weekend.

We’ll spend more time on finishing this week and continue with the topic of 1 v 1 attacking so we can be more dangerous going forward. Whenever we go on the road, our first priority is a shutout on the board. We know that if we get the shutout we’re guaranteed at least one point and in a league as tough as ours  even one point on the road is a good thing.Tweet