BYU Ties Weber State, 1-1 (2OT) in Physical Game
Neal Minson
801-661-4353
neal.minson@gmail.com
Drew VanWagenen
Oct 17, 2009 - Head Coach, Chris Watkins
Interviewed by, Jarom Jordan
BYU-TV
Oct 17, 2009 - Forward, Blake Tillotson (So.)
Interviewed by, Jarom Jordan
BYU-TV
Oct 17, 2009 - Midfielder, Trevor Henderson (Fr.)
Interviewed by, Jarom Jordan
BYU-TV
PROVO, Utah (Oct. 16, 2009) - The BYU Cougars tied Weber State, 1-1 after two over time periods, against considered best in-state rival, Weber State, in a game filled with tempers and fouls.
"I’m quite happy with the way we played," said head coach Chris Watkins. "I’m really proud of what my guys did tonight."
The game started with an explosion of speed, energy, and emotion from both sides of the field and continued throughout the game.
The Cougars scored in 45th minute as freshman midfielder, Trevor Henderson connected with sophomore forward, Blake Tillotson who blasted the ball into the net to make it 1-0 at the half.
"My teammates battled and stepped up their game," Tillotson said. "Trevor put it to my foot and I was able to get a good touch on it."
Tempers continued to rise when in the 48th minute, Tillotson and Weber State’s Aaron McKinley tangled, resulting in both receiving a red card and ejection from the game.
In the 55th minute BYU senior defender, Drew VanWagenen received a red card as well, leaving the Cougars down two players, playing 9 on 10.
Two Weber State players also received yellow cards simultaneously in the 66th minute.
Weber State took advantage of the extra player as former Chivas USA draft pick, Kyle Christensen blasted the ball past BYU keeper Bryan Black on a free kick 30 yards out during the 83rd minute to tie the game at 1-1.
Another yellow card was given to BYU senior defender, KC Whitworth in extra time and with the game tied, a 10-minute sudden death overtime began.
The colored cards were not done being delivered in overtime, as Weber State player Scott Whitesides received a yellow card during the 99th minute. This finished the card war with a combined total of three red and five yellow cards.
BYU showed offensive strength despite being a man down in the first overtime. Weber State came out a lot stronger on offense to begin the second overtime, but BYU made sure that strength was not one-sided. However, neither team could get the game deciding goal resulting in a tie.
"I thought it showed a lot about our team and our character to push for it and make plays even when we were a man down," freshman midfielder, Trevor Henderson said. "We never quit."
Post Game Notes
Jarom Jordan
UP NEXT
The BYU Alumni will play Utah Valley this Friday, October 23 at 7 p.m. at the Stadium at South Field. Then Saturday, October 24th at 12 p.m. the Alumni will play each other.
PREMIERE DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE
Tonight’s game was an exhibition. BYU’s regular season is in the PDL from May-July. The Cougars joined the Premiere Development League in 2003. BYU is the first and only university to sponsor a soccer program in the PDL. The league is considered higher than NCAA soccer in the U.S. soccer pyramid. BYU won the Northwest division championship in 2007. The Cougars currently compete in the Southwest Division.
TWO IN A ROW FOR BLAKE TILLOTSON
BYU Sophomore Forward, Blake Tillotson is taking advantage of injuries to three of BYU’s regular forwards. He scored Friday against Weber State. He also scored BYU’s only goal on October 2 against Real Salt Lake in a 4-1 loss. Soccer in is his blood. Blake’s older sister, Bobbi, played for the BYU women’s team from 2003-2006.
OGDEN OUTLAWS VS. BYU COUGARS
Ogden and BYU are the only two teams from Utah in the PDL and a few players on Weber State play for the Outlaws during the summer. All four games during the PDL season were 1-0 finishes with BYU winning three of four.
CARD DEALING
After a very physical first half, referee, Jeff Young dished out three red cards and eight on the night. After an altercation in the 50th minute BYU’s Blake Tillotson and Weber State’s Aaron McKinley got tossed. Then five minutes later BYU’s Drew VanWagenen received a red card. It was 10 on 9 for Weber State for the last 35 minutes of the game.
FORMER MLS PLAYER IN THE GAME-KYLE CHRISTENSEN
The most decorated player in Friday’s matchup was Weber State’s Kyle Christensen. Christensen played college soccer for Denver, was drafted by Chivas USA in this year’s MLS SuperDraft (He was cut, shortly after), and plays for the Real Colorado Foxes in the Heartland division of the PDL. Christensen scored the equalizing goal in the 83rd minute off a free kick, 30 yards away and had four shots.
FRESHMAN ORIENTATION
BYU started five freshman and two sophomores against Weber State. That trend is a continuation of the fall year that will stay during next year’s PDL season. The Cougars started seven freshmen against Utah State on September 25th.
TARDY TO PRACTICE, TARDY IN THE GAME
BYU has a team rule disallowing players who are late to practice to start games. BYU has fall class scheduling conflicts with the beginning and end of practice with some of the experienced players. KC Whitworth, Drew VanWagenen, Cameron Lamb, and Bryan Black are all usual starters but were inserted into the game as substitutes.
INJURY BUG
BYU has three experienced forwards out due to injury. Zach De Francis still has issues with his broken arm suffered during the end of the PDL season, BJ Pugmire will be cleared in December to run again after tearing an ACL during the season, and Brady Marshall fractured his pubic bone and is out for at least two months.
Jarom Jordan
801-471-4469
