BYU returns to South Field, Friday May 31, after a four game road trip to play the LA Misioneros in the Cougars’ home opener. The Cougars will then play again on Saturday, June 1 against the Fresno Fuego.
Coming off a disappointing loss to Real Colorado in which the Cougar offense failed to produce, BYU is looking forward to playing on their home field.
“We’re excited to come back home to South Field Stadium,” head coach Chris Watkins said.
BYU has yet to play LA this year but was lucky enough to scrape a 2–1 win against the Misioneros last season. If the Cougars are to win, their offensive production has to improve. BYU has only scored one goal in the last three games. If the offense can score, it will take a lot of pressure off a young defensive line, including freshmen Alex Neff and Tanner Whitworth.
The freshmen defenders were crucial in helping the Cougars battle to a 0–0 tie at Fresno earlier in the year. In that game, Fresno tallied seven shots on goal, but outstanding defensive pressure by Neff and Whitworth made them manageable for BYU’s keeper, Brian Hale.
The Cougars have been counting the days until these home opening games.
“Another two great opponents will really challenge us.” Watkins said. “We are anxious to prove ourselves in front of our home crowd.”
The young BYU team has seen its fair share of challenges this season so far, losing veteran forward Garrett Losee with a broken arm towards the end of their last match being the latest of such challenges. Beginning the season with four road games would be a tall order for any team. The Cougars handled the pressure well and were able to come away with four points and a 1–2–1 record.
Local swimwear business Limericki is anxious to support the Cougars and will be giving out discount passes to the first 200 fans at South Field on Friday night. TIckets are available to students at a discounted $3 before kickoff and $5 after kickoff. Adult tickets are $6 and can be purchased at the gate. Both games kickoff at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, May 31 and Saturday, June 1.
