BYU Men's Soccer Signs Eight, Returns Five Missionaries
Jarom Jordan
jarom.jordan@byu.edu
801-471-4469
Toni Niccoli is one of five returned missionaries who will return for the 2010 PDL season.
Click on the PDF version of the release with photos of each player. Click Here
Listen to an audio interview with head coach, Chris Watkins:
Part 1
Part 2
PROVO, Utah (Feb. 3, 2010) -- In conjunction with NCAA men’s soccer signing day the BYU men’s soccer team added 13 players to its 2010 Premier Development League roster.
“I am really excited to bring in such a great recruiting class,” said head coach, Chris Watkins. “Coach Sackett, our recruiting coordinator, has done a great job of identifying and securing this group. To be competitive in our league it is increasingly important to bring in the very best student athletes we can attract. I expect this group to be a big part of an exciting future for BYU soccer.”
“A lot of times with incoming freshman we’ll have one or two that can step right in and play,” said assistant coach, Chad Sackett. “With this class, they’ll all push for spots to play. That returning missionary group was an awesome class and those guys actually got minutes as freshman before their missions. A lot of guys will push the starters for minutes.”
Most of the freshman signees will join the team the day after they graduate from high school. The Cougars welcome two transfers and return five missionaries who played prior to their two year missions for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
“There is a lot of pressure on these guys because the players we return are very good so they have high expectations,” said Watkins. “These guys can jump in and help us. They need to help us. We need to get the most out of them. They need to contribute.”
The Cougars hope to add a few more players at open tryouts February 25-27. See http://www.byusoccer.com/tryouts.php for more information.
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Incoming Freshman
Kip Critchlow-Midfielder
| Height: | 5-9 |
| Weight: | 140 |
| Hometown: | Sandy, Utah (Hillcrest HS) |
| Club: | Nighthawk, La Roca |
| Status: | Freshman |
Notes: Pronounced CRITCH-lo...Will serve an LDS mission in the fall of 2010...Won the State Cup in 2004 and team was a finalist in 2002, 2005, and 2007...Four-year varsity starter at Hillcrest..2007 All-State honorable mention...Born on January 20, 1990...Has practiced with Real Salt Lake..Grandfather shoots a cow in the movie “Napoleon Dynamite”... Played on the same men’s league team as teammate Jantzen Romney (Olympique Montreux FC)...Also played on Rush FC in the men’s league with BYU assistant coach, Chad Sackett...Already enrolled at BYU...Scored two goals in 15 games for Hillcrest in 2008...Led Hillcrest to the 5A State Semifinals in 2008...As a junior in 2007 helped anchor a defense that gave up a mere nine goals in 25 games...Brother Cade played rugby for Southern Utah...Born in Pleasant Grove, Utah...Graduated from Hillcrest in 2008, attended Salt Lake Community College (didn’t play soccer for the school) and will transfer to BYU...
Critchlow on BYU: “I joined the team so Chad Sackett would leave me alone. Just kidding. I am enjoying the program they run.“
Watkins on Critchlow: “He’s a great player. He’ll probably be a wide player for us. He’s a savvy, die-hard soccer guy. He’ll fit in well and really help us this year.”
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Matt Kimball-Midfielder
| Height: | 5-10 |
| Weight: | 160 |
| Hometown: | Tampa, Florida (East Lake HS) |
| Club: | Clearwater Chargers |
| Status: | High School-Senior |
Notes: Born in Summit, New Jersey on September 12, 1991...Will serve an LDS mission in the summer of 2011...Started playing at age 3...Played in the Florida state championship game as a freshman...High School team won the District Finals (1/29/10)...Team ranked as high as 26th in the nation... 1st team All-Pinellas county in 2008 & 2009...One of only two sophomores named to the All-North County in 2008...Scored a 91.53 Sparq rating at the 2009 Spring Showcase...1 of 10 players on his club team who will player collegiate soccer...Scored a goal in a 2-0 win on 1/27 in the Florida 5A District 11 Semifinal...Team is 17-1-2 as of 1/29...Both parents and older brothers attended BYU...Great-Grandson of former LDS Church President, Spencer W. Kimball...
Kimball on BYU: “It’s a great opportunity to progress my soccer career and I really fell in love with the team and coaching staff after meeting them. The campus is great and the academics are strong. Looks like the right fit for me and I can’t wait to be a Cougar”.
Watkins on Kimball: “He’s a great player. I’m impressed that we got him. He has an active body and could play a number of positions for us. He’ll have a nice career for us.”
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Matt Kurtz-Midfielder
| Height: | 6-2 |
| Weight: | 195 |
| Hometown: | Las Vegas, Nevada (Centennial HS) |
| Club: | Las Vegas Premier 92 |
| Status: | High School-Senior |
Notes: Attended the same high school as BYU midfielder, Connor Bassett...Four year starter...Captain his junior and senior seasons...Named All-Southern Nevada as a junior and senior...Won the club state championship in 2009 with Las Vegas Premier 92...Born October 4, 1991...Started playing at age 3...Plans on serving an LDS mission in January 2011...A Las Vegas Review Journal “Player to Watch” prior to his senior season in the fall of 2009...Will join the team after graduating from high school...Has two uncles in the Hockey Hall of Fame (Max Bentley & Doug Bentley) and the three other Bentley brothers played pro hockey....
Kurtz on BYU: “I love soccer and wanted to attend a school that would allow me to go on a full-time mission and still be a part of the team.”
Watkins on Kurtz: “He is a big, strong guy who is a nice connector from the midfield.”
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Ethan Meyer-Midfielder
| Height: | 5-8 |
| Weight: | 140 |
| Hometown: | Carrollton, Texas (Hebron HS) |
| Club: | Dallas Texas USSF U-18 Academy |
| Status: | High School-Senior |
Notes: Born on March 13, 1992 in Carrollton, Texas...Will serve an LDS mission following his freshman year...Won the USYSA Club National Championship in 2008...Part of the 2009 U-19 Dallas Cup Championship team...Part of the Disney Showcase championship team in 2003, 2005, 2008, and 2009...Was in the USA national team pool as a part of the Olympic Development Program...Hebron High School team captain...Began playing when he was 4 years old...Scored 55 goals his first year of playing organized soccer (1997)...Rated as the #12 player in Texas according to topdrawersoccer.com’s “Who to Watch” list...Named All-Region III ODP in 2005...
Meyer on BYU: “I knew it was the right place for me to go. Also, my older brother went there and said it was a great school to go to!”
Watkins on Meyer: “He attacks well, plays balls forward well. He has a great active body and is a perfect fit for us.”
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Scott Whitworth-Defender
| Height: | 6-0 |
| Weight: | 160 |
| Hometown: | Glendora, California (Glendora HS) |
| Club: | Arsenal FC |
| Status: | Freshman |
Notes: Younger brother of current player, KC Whitworth...Graduated early from high school and is currently training with the team...Played one game with his high school team in January, scoring the first goal of his team’s season on 1/27 vs. Upland...Born in Sydney, Australia...Lived there for three years...Will serve an LDS mission in March of 2011...Is 17 years old, born March 16th, 1992... Lived in Utah from 7-9th grade...Began playing soccer in a city league when he was five years old...One of 10 children...
Whitworth on BYU: “This school provides a top notch education at an affordable price. The environment here is amazing as well. The people are here because they want to learn.”
Watkins on Whitworth: “Scott is a great defender in his brother’s mold but has a little bit more skill than KC did at that time. We have great plans for him.”
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Connor Bassett-Midfielder
| Height: | 5-10 |
| Weight: | 160 |
| Hometown: | Las Vegas, Nevada (Centennial) |
| Club: | Arsenal FC |
| Status: | Sophomore (Returned Missionary) |
Notes: Won two club national championships with Arsenal FC and also won the Dallas and Surf Cups...Named 2nd team All-State...Played in one PDL game out of high school in 2006 for 17 minutes...Subbed in against former English Premier League team, Coventry City, in an exhibition game in 2006...Played in three games for 30 minutes, recording one shot in 2007...Served a mission to Yekaterinburg, Russia...Endured temperatures as cold a -56 Fahrenheit...Born on September 30, 1987...Sister, Riley plays soccer at Southern Utah University...
Bassett on BYU: “It’s a great education. My family is a big BYU family and my Grandpa was a popular professor at BYU. Coach Watkins is a great coach and he has helped me to develop as a player. He is doing a lot of exciting things with the men’s soccer program here and the program will only get better. It’s fun to be a part of it.”
Watkins on Bassett: “He’s part of our Vegas pipeline. Connor is a central player who’s been working incredibly hard since he returned (from a mission). He’s already a better player than before he went on his mission. I’m optimistic about him.”
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Connor Bassett-Midfielder
| Height: | 5-10 |
| Weight: | 160 |
| Hometown: | Las Vegas, Nevada (Centennial) |
| Club: | Arsenal FC |
| Status: | Sophomore (Returned Missionary) |
Notes: Won two club national championships with Arsenal FC and also won the Dallas and Surf Cups...Named 2nd team All-State...Played in one PDL game out of high school in 2006 for 17 minutes...Subbed in against former English Premier League team, Coventry City, in an exhibition game in 2006...Played in three games for 30 minutes, recording one shot in 2007...Served a mission to Yekaterinburg, Russia...Endured temperatures as cold a -56 Fahrenheit...Born on September 30, 1987...Sister, Riley plays soccer at Southern Utah University...
Bassett on BYU: “It’s a great education. My family is a big BYU family and my Grandpa was a popular professor at BYU. Coach Watkins is a great coach and he has helped me to develop as a player. He is doing a lot of exciting things with the men’s soccer program here and the program will only get better. It’s fun to be a part of it.”
Watkins on Bassett: “He’s part of our Vegas pipeline. Connor is a central player who’s been working incredibly hard since he returned (from a mission). He’s already a better player than before he went on his mission. I’m optimistic about him.”
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Tyler Arens-Defender
| Height: | 6-0 |
| Weight: | 170 |
| Hometown: | Riverton, Utah (Riverton HS) |
| Club: | Las Vegas Premier |
| Status: | Sophomore (Returned Missionary) |
Notes: Captain on both club teams he played on...6-time Nevada State Cup Champion...Invited to play with the prestigious club, FC Barcelona in Southern California...Four year Varsity player...Scholar Athlete...Team MVP junior year... Younger brother of graduated senior, Richie Bindrup...Played with Richie in 2007...Served an LDS mission to Russia & Siberia...Scored seven goals as junior...As a senior he led his team to 16-2-2 record and was named All-Southern Nevada...Started against Real Salt Lake in a 2007 exhibition...Played in 12 games for 774 minutes in 2007 prior to his mission...Took four shots and recorded 20 fouls...Part of the 2007 BYU team that reached the PDL Elite Eight...Has played soccer in Sweden, Chile, and participated in the Gothia, Dallas, and Surf Cups...Born July 9, 1988...
Bindrup on BYU: “The majority of my family is BYU alumni and I have always loved the idea of getting an education at BYU. Then when the time came for me to make my decision between BYU and other schools offering me to play soccer, my mind was for the most part set on BYU. I needed to get on a mission. BYU, in my opinion, was going to help me reach all of my goals, in all phases of my life, more than any other school out there. I graduated high school a semester early to get up as soon as possible to BYU to start the winter semester and be there for the soccer season. I also had the opportunity to play soccer with my older brother Richard until I left that summer for my mission.
Watkins on Bindrup: “He’s incredibly strong, like his brother. He can hold off five guys at one time and still keep the ball. He’s got the widest shoulders you’ve ever seen and he’s playing well and doing a nice job already.”
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Doug Clark-Midfielder
| Height: | 5-11 |
| Weight: | 170 |
| Hometown: | Bountiful, Utah (Bountiful HS) |
| Club: | UFC/Rush FC |
| Status: | Sophomore (Returned Missionary) |
Notes: Played in one game as a freshman in 2006 for two minutes...Played in 6 games for 164 minutes during the 2007 PDL season recording two goals on three shots, two assists, and two fouls...Born March 21, 1988...Served an LDS mission to McAllen, Texas from 2007-2009...Traveled with the team to Chile in the spring of 2007...Played in all four fall exhibition games in 2009, including a start against MLS Champion to be, Real Salt Lake in his first game back from a mission...Led the Bountiful Braves to the state championship game as a senior in 2006, scoring a goal in a 3-1 loss...Led team with 16 goals and 12 assists as a senior, six goals as a junior, one as a sophomore, and two as a freshman for 25 career goals in high school...Named All-State...Coached by Arthur VanWagenen at Rush FC (former Cougar and brother of current Cougar, Drew VanWagenen)...Called “the biggest offensive force in the county” by the Davis Clipper in 2006...Named Davis Clipper soccer MVP...
Clark on BYU: “I wanted to play soccer and Sunday play was an issue elsewhere. I also wanted to play quality soccer.”
Watkins on Clark: “He played a little bit before his mission. His first game back he started our game against Real Salt Lake and did a nice job as a fullback. He’s probably a central player, has great potential, and no doubt will become a great player for us.”
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Toni Niccoli-Midfielder
| Height: | 5-7 |
| Weight: | 140 |
| Hometown: | Provo, Utah (Timpview HS) |
| Club: | Inter FC |
| Status: | Freshman (Returned Missionary) |
Notes: Played in 12 games for 344 minutes prior to his mission during the 2007 PDL season recording five goals, two assists, and four fouls...Part of the team that reached the PDL Quarterfinals in 2007...Started against Real Salt Lake in St. George in front of more than 5,000 fans...Traveled to Chile with the team...Recorded five goals as a senior, four as a junior at Timpview...Named honorable mention All-State by the Deseret News in 2007...Named All-Region in 2006 by The Deseret News...Born in Escondido, California...Served a mission to Catania, Italy...had an apartment view of a soccer stadium there...Born November 18, 1988...Age 21...Started playing soccer at age 8 in California...
Niccoli on BYU: “Because it was the only option that gave me all of what I wanted: soccer, school, and the Church.”
Watkins on Niccoli: “He did a nice job before his mission and played a lot of minutes. He’s working on getting his quickness back. He’s not quite back to where he was before his mission but he’s working hard to get there.”
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Janzten Romney-Midfielder
| Height: | 5-10 |
| Weight: | 155 |
| Hometown: | Salt Lake City, Utah (Brighton/Westminster) |
| Club: | Inter FC, Olympique Montreux FC |
| Status: | Sophomore (Transfer) |
Notes: Won the 2009 State Super Cup Championship with Olympique Montreux FC...In 2008 received the Golden Boot award with 19 goals in a single season...Served a mission to Houston, Texas...Already enrolled at BYU...Played at Westminster (Salt Lake City, Utah) in the Fall of 2006...Named a 2006 5A First Team All-State selection at Brighton...Scored 13 goals in 20 games as as senior in 2006...5A Runner-Up to Alta in 2006 State Final...Scored 9 goals in 20 games as a junior in 2005...5A State Semifinal finish...Sister Noelle plays soccer at Brighton as a sophomore, Dakota plays soccer for Sparta in Salt Lake City, Sister Sadie played soccer at Murray High School...Played against Doug Clark and Connor Basset’s club teams...Won five consecutive club state championships with Inter FC, ranked 11th nationally...”For me soccer is a big stress reliever, being able to get out, have fun, and forget about life’s problems is priceless”...Born December 8, 1987...Really enjoys rock climbing and wake boarding...Great Grandpa, Elwood Romney was BYU’s first All-American basketball player (1930-1933) and Grandpa Jerry was an All-American on the 1951 NIT Championship basketball team at BYU...Father Jeffrey Romney played tennis at Westminster and the University of Utah...
Romney on BYU: “It’s the best soccer in Utah without being on Real Salt Lake’s team. To find better I would have had to go out of state. I’ve never really had a desire to leave Utah and be away from friends and family.“
Watkins on Romney: “He’s a local kid. I think he will have a great season for us.”
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Cory Cosgrave-Goal Keeper
| Height: | 6-0 |
| Weight: | 170 |
| Hometown: | Highland, Utah (Lone Peak HS/BYU-Hawaii) |
| Club: | UV Rangers |
| Status: | Junior (Transfer) |
Notes: Played for BYU in the fall of 2008 before tearing his ACL...Started at BYU-Hawaii in the fall of 2009...Led the PAC West Conference in saves in 2009...Transferred to BYU and is enrolled this semester...Brother Mike ran track for Utah State, Sister Cami played soccer at Utah State...Served a two year LDS mission to Detroit, Michigan...Served on the University of Michigan campus...Born August 31, 1986...Age 23...Starting playing American Fork recreation soccer at age 3...Also played basketball at Lone Peak under Quincy Lewis who coached Jackson Emery and Tyler Haws who play basketball for BYU...Won the Club State championship, 4A basketball title, and 4A soccer title his senior year of high school...Eagle Scout...2004 Utah Valley MVP...2004 Deseret News honorable mention...2005 First Team All-State (Salt Lake Tribune, Deseret News)...2005 Region 6 Goalkeeper MVP (The Daily Herald), 2005 Utah Goalkeeper of the year (Salt Lake Tribune, Deseret News, Daily Herald)...Married...
Cosgrave on BYU: “I chose BYU to go to school without any intention of playing soccer past high school. Following a scrimmage against the BYU team while preparing for Western Regionals with my club team, Coach Watkins and former assistant coach Brian Jolley pulled me aside and invited me, following my mission, to come play.”
Watkins on Cosgrave: “We’re glad to have him back. Now he has some experience and we think he can be a very valuable player for us.”
