Cougars and Rattlers Set for Showdown
Brittany Eads
(310) 804-7245
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Britt Osborne / Zack DeFrancis
Provo, Utah (May 6, 2009) — With a preseason record of 2-1, the BYU men’s soccer team kicks off its season this Saturday, May 9, against the Lancaster (Calif.) Rattlers, in what will be the first match ever between the two teams.
"It’s our first time playing them," head coach Chris Watkins states. "We don't know much about them. However, we certainly expect to face good teams this season. It will be an interesting matchup."
As members of the Premier Development League (PDL), a semi-professional division, the Cougar players and coaches know they'll have to step up their game to be competitive.
"It's been a few years since we've played in the California division," notes assistant coach and former team player Clay Christenson. "But we are prepared and use the strengths we have as a team - a lot of speed and the ability to get the ball to spaces others can't."
According to assistant coach Chad Sackett, many of those that play in the PDL go on to professional careers for MLS teams and the A-League. Such is also the case for the Cougars, a team which returns ample experience and talent including like that of starters Richie Bindrup, Britton Osborne, Steve Magleby, and Andrew Van Wagenen.
"Every one of our starters has played in a PDL game," Watkins explains. "Some haven't necessarily played a lot of minutes recently, but they're certainly not rookies."
Despite the high caliber of player experience and skill, the Cougars still have a few more adjustments to make to put them where they want to be in the league. In addition to completely integrating new players to the squad, Watkins stresses that the team must learn to work well together as an ensemble before it can come expect to come out on top of the division.
"We are excited by the opportunity to showcase our skill and mold that into a good team" he adds. "But we've still got a bit of work to do. As soon as we figure out how to play as a team, well be able to realize our potential and put together a solid game."
