Thursday, July 4, 2013
PROVO, Utah — The BYU Cougars defeated FC Tucson 3–2 on Thursday night at South Field in annual Independence Day game, with support of season’s largest crowd.
BYU’s 1,644 fans motivated the Cougars to a strong start. Tanner Whitworth scored the first goal in the 24th minute, with an assist by midfielder Matt Rider. Whitworth faded toward the right of the net, sliding the ball past the FC Tucson goalie. BYU was able to maintain its lead until the halftime break, but FC Tucson answered back in the 65th minute. Saeed Robinson slipped a shot past BYU goalie Brian Hale to tie the score 1–1. Robinson then gave Tucson the lead five minutes later as the visitors from Arizona fought to keep their playoff hopes alive.
Despite Tucson’s two consecutive goals, BYU wouldn’t be brought down. Moments following Tucson taking the lead, BYU’s Jonathan Junca split the defense with a pass to Trevor Henderson, who scored to tie the game 2–2. The Cougars then regained the lead with 10 minutes to go on a goal that came through a good piece of team play. Blake Frischnecht beat a Tucson defender and sent in a pass to Pedro Vasconcelos, who finished for a 3-2 lead. Tucson tried to find an equalizer, but the Cougars were able to hold on for an impressive victory.
“That was a great win,” Cougars head coach Chris Watkins said. “We’re really proud we can beat a team of that caliber.”
The Cougars’ win boosted their record to 3-6-1, after an undefeated 5-0 preseason in the fall. The Cougars will compete in two more home games before the end of the regular season.
Join the BYU Cougars for their next home game on Saturday night at 7:30 p.m. MT against the OC Blues Strikers. The Cougars will compete at South Field on BYU campus. The match will be streamed live on KSL and Deseret News.