By Kirstin Starr
The BYU soccer team opened it season strong on Friday night with a 4-0 win over San Diego, but couldn?t hold on to that momentum in a 2-1 loss to Southern California on Saturday.
On Friday, the Gauchos and Cougars were tied at 0-0 at the half because of the sound defense played by both teams.
In the second half BYU exploded with four goals. BYU coach Chris Watkins credited the second half effort to his team?s training.
?We?re a very fit team and we just exploded with energy,? Watkins said. ?They barely crossed the half in the second.?
This defense allowed the chance for defender Brad Peterson to work up field with the offensive game. He scored BYU?s first goal off an assist from Ken Ojuka. Ojuka followed his assist with another goal, making the score 2-0.
With the adrenaline pumping, BYU continued to push forward scoring twice more. Steve Magelby got the third goal and freshman B.J. Pugmire put in the final goal.
?It?s huge,? Watkins said. ?We played about as good as we can hope to play.?
Coming of that win, Watkins was hoping the confidence they built would carry them through the second game.
It didn?t happen.
Although the team got a goal in the second half when Matt Affleck drove Brock Trejo?s corner kick into the net, it wasn?t enough to catch the Seahorses.
Southern California took advantage of playing at home and scored two goals within the first 15 minutes of the game.
With the early deficit, the Cougars had to spend the rest of the game working hard just to equalize the Seahorses.
?They (the Seahorses) just wanted it more and got the early lead. We need to play a full 90 minutes if we want to compete,? Watkins said.
BYU never let the Seahorse score again. However, the Cougars also were unable to capitalize on any of the several scoring opportunities they created for themselves, enabling Southern California to hold on for the one-goal win.
With the 1-1-0 start, BYU hopes to improve its record next weekend when it battles the Bakersfield Brigade on Friday and the Orange County Blue Star on Saturday.
These are the first home matches for BYU this season. Both games will begin at 7:30 p.m.
