BYU Cougars News Release -- www.byusoccer.com
Friday, June 17, 2011
LOS ANGELES -- In the first ever meeting between the LA Blues 23 and the BYU Cougars, the Blues (3-5-2) rallied to beat the Cougars (1-5-2) 3-2 on Friday night. BYU now prepares for the Southern California Seahorses on Saturday night in La Mirada, California.
"We felt really good about the way we attacked at the start of the game," said BYU coach Chris Watkins. "Getting a couple of goals was good for us."
The Cougars jumped out to to a 2-0 lead after just 25 minutes. The quickest goal of the 2011 season came in the first minute when Toni Niccoli dribbled down to the end line, sent in a cross inside the box and BJ Pugmire scored his team-leading third goal of the year for a 1-0 lead. In the 25th minute Pugmire assisted Garrett Losee for his first ever PDL goal as a Cougar. However that lead wouldn't last.
The Blues scored three unanswered goals, Rodolfo Sandoval bringing his side even with a pair of strikes in the 31st and 49th minutes before Federico Cino gave his side the lead in the 69th minute off scrambles following free kicks from outside the penalty area. It was the third win of the season and second in a row for LA.
"We were disappointed and frustrated to work so hard and not get a result," said Watkins.
BYU will play the Southern California Seahorses tomorrow night which is the second meeting in eight days. Last Saturday in Provo, Southern California won 3-1.
POSTGAME NOTES
MULTIPLES OF TWO: Two goals in one game is the first time the Cougars have scored multiple goals in a game this season
"GO"AL AWAY: BYU gave up a total of seven goals in the first three games, recorded two consecutive shutouts, and has given up eight goals in the last three games.
THREE IS THE LEAD: Senior, BJ Pugmire now has three goals this season, which is the most on the team. The first two came on penalty kicks.
PART TWO: BYU and the LA Blues 23 will meet in Provo on July 21 in the PDL season finale and final home game for the Cougars. LA Blues 23 competes as a professional team for the first time this year, operating as a reserve squad for the Los Angeles Blues of USL PRO.
HALFWAY THERE: Friday night's game was the eighth game of the season. That is exactly the halfway point of the 16-game, 2011 Premier Development League season. Tomorrow night BYU begins the second half of the season against Southern California.
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