BYU Cougars News Release - www.byusoccer.com

Saturday, July 28, 2007

FRESNO, CA -- The Cougars were unable to pull out a win in their second playoff game against the Fresno Fuego Saturday night, ending their season with a 3-0 loss and a 14-2-2 record.

“We just didn’t click very well tonight,” said BYU defender Clay Christenson. “The effort was there, the team played hard, but scoring didn’t come as easy tonight as it usually does.”

The Fuego was awarded a penalty kick early in 5th minute. Amaury Nunes took the kick and scored the Fuego’s first goal and what proved to be the game-winner. 

Pablo Campos went on to score the Fuego’s last two goals in the 51st and 90th minutes.

Both teams had equal shots on goal, evening out with ten each. Despite Saturday’s loss, this has been the men’s soccer team’s best season since entering the PDL. But the game against Fresno isn’t the Cougars’ only loss this season.

Six players are leaving the team after finishing their senior year, and Brian Jolley, assistant coach, will also be leaving after receiving a promotion in his teaching career. Coach Jolley has been with the team as a player and then assistant coach for fifteen years.

“It’s been an absolute magical season,” said coach Jolley. “It didn’t end the way we wanted it to, but we’ve experienced great successes on and off the field. That’s everything a team could hope for aside from the championships.”

Fresno Fuego will go on to the conference championships against the Laredo Heat. The Cougars will resume play in the fall with exhibition matches. For more information, visit soccer.byu.edu.