By Ben Neilson
The BYU men''s soccer team capitalized on its top-seed position at the Collegiate Club National Championship by defeating its first two opponents in shutout style Thursday, Nov. 15.
The Cougars shut out North Carolina Thursday afternoon in the second contest of the annual three-day championship tournament, held this year at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, Ala.
BYU''s offense, potent all season, continued to churn out goals Thursday.
Junior midfielder Matt Walker (six goals, two assists this season) scored BYU''s first goal early in the opening half as excited Cougar parents cheered on.
The score remained 1-0 until the middle of the second half when junior forward Brad Peterson (seven goals, five assists) netted a goal off an assist from sophomore midfielder Chad Deshler (two goals, four assists).
'The goal came at a crucial time,' Peterson said. 'We felt the weight lifted from our shoulders after that goal.'
BYU freshman midfielder Brian Walker (five goals, one assist) sealed the win late in the second half, knocking the ball in the net after a long drive.
BYU senior goalkeeper John Morris said he felt his team played well, but may have had some good fortune in sustaining the shutout.
'We did a fairly good job of not giving them great shots, but they had about five good opportunities,' Morris said. 'The shutout? Maybe there was some luck.'
Luck might have been a part of the reason the Cougars were able to keep the Tar Heels scoreless, because North Carolina had more opportunities to score than any BYU opponent this season.
'I think we made this team look a lot better than they really were,' Morris said.
The Cougars took care of business in the morning game as well, shutting out Cornell 4-0 in the first game of the tournament.
The Cougars'' sophomore forward Chris Lamb (four goals, one assist) scored the first of BYU''s four goals by heading an errant shot into the net late in the first half. BYU continued its offensive attack by scoring three more goals in the opening minutes of the second half.
BYU coach Brian Jolley then inserted his reserves, who played the bulk of the second half and preserved the shutout.
Jolley said the even distribution of playing time against Cornell would be beneficial to his team later on in the tournament.
'None of our starters played more than a half, so we''re rested,' Jolley said. 'That''s just how we planned it.'
BYU''s goals were scored by Lamb, sophomore forward Matt Affleck (13 goals, five assists), Peterson and Brian Walker. Senior forward Brandon LeRoy (five goals, one assist), junior forward Daniel Yescas (six goals, three assists) and Matt Walker each recorded an assist in the game.
The victory over Cornell didn''t come without a price, however. Affleck injured his shoulder in the first half when a Cornell slide tackle knocked him off his legs, vaulting him in the air and upside down. Affleck landed on his right side and was removed from the game. He returned in the second half, scoring the Cougars'' second goal.
The game was the Cougars'' first since they finished their regular season schedule almost three weeks ago.
'We were certainly sharper than I expected, having not played for three weeks,' Jolley said. 'The energy level was perfect.'
BYU freshman midfielder Josh Brasher said being the top seed is important early in the tournament.
'It''s very valuable, because we get to rest and then we are more fresh for the second game and a better opponent,' Brasher said.
The Cougars play the last game in their individual bracket Friday morning. The remaining teams will then be reseeded and the stage will be set for quarterfinal, semifinal and final games.
BYU has won the national tournament four out of the last five years.