BYU Ties with U21 Mexico, 2-2
Jarom Jordan
jarom.jordan@byu.edu
BYU team celebrates, courtesy of BYU Photo
PROVO, Utah (May 12, 2010) -- A tie might as well be a victory for the BYU Cougars against the U21 Mexico National team. Wednesday night in front of more than 3,500 fans, BYU tied some of the best Mexico has to offer, 2-2. The atmosphere was electric, the soccer superb, and the performance from both teams was at a high level.
"I certainly wouldn't have bet on a tie or a win," said BYU head coach, Chris Watkins. "It was certainly exciting for our fans and players. It was probably safe to say for everyone of (our players) it was probably the highlight of their soccer playing career. Our guys played really well. It was a great night."
BYU started the scoring in the seventh minute when junior forward, Brady Marshall curled his way across the top of the box, dribbling with his left foot until he blasted a shot into the upper left corner to put the Cougars up 1-0. "Brady's goal was special," said Watkins. "It was one of those moments you'll never forget and it set the tone for the night."
The Cougars tacked on another goal in the 31st minute when Toni Niccoli gathered his deflected shot, volleyed the ball to himself and connected into the near post. "I think it kind of took a lucky bounce," said the freshman forward. "I just took a touch off my knee and took it near post and it worked out."
BYU goalkeeper, Bryan Black came up huge with seven saves on the night, including one in the first 30 seconds to prevent a quick goal from Mexico. "Bryan was big," said Watkins. "He was outstanding and probably the man of the match." "I think it's a big deal (to tie) for our teams confidence," said the junior goalkeeper. "We've played some pretty good teams in the PDL but that game right there showed that we can really play with some of the best players around. We are just a bunch of normal guys who work and are married and these guys; it's their lives. The fact that we can draw with a team like that shows that we're hard working and really good."
Black's only blemish came in the 42nd minute when he was called for a foul in the penalty area, resulting in a successful Luis Ramos penalty kick to put "El Tri" on the board. Both teams made several subs in the second half and Mexico got the equalizer on a loose ball in the box that Leopoldo Morales put away in the 72nd minute to tie the game at 2-2. "It was right in the box and I turned around and I just took it," said Morales. "It was a great goal."
"I think all of us came into this game nervous and wondering how it would go down against an international team, especially a powerhouse like Mexico and I feel like we really put it together," said Niccoli. "If we play like that the rest of the season I don't think there will be many teams to stop us."
To watch the game again, go to www.byu.tv. BYU now prepares for the Los Angeles Legends, next Friday, May 21 at 8 p.m. in Provo. BYU Television will broadcast the game live, at 8 p.m.
POSTGAME NOTES
STATS
| Mexico | BYU | |
| Goals | 2 | 2 |
| Shots | 17 | 9 |
| Shots on Goal | 9 | 4 |
| Corner Kicks | 2 | 2 |
| Fouls | 16 | 20 |
| Cards | 3 | 3 |
BYU STARTERS
Forwards: Toni Niccoli, BJ Pugmire, Brady Marshall
Midfielders: Britton Osborne, Brent Jensen, Kip Critchlow
Defenders: James Bindrup, KC Whitworth, Tyler Christiansen, Cameron Lamb
Goalkeeper: Bryan Black
Subs: Blake Tillotson, Jantzen Romney, Trevor Henderson, Pedro Vasconcelos, Matt Rider, Drew Van Wagenen, Josh Patino
BYU STARTERS
BYU tied 2-2 for the second game in a row after a 2-2, Saturday versus the Orange County Blue Star in the PDL season opener.
NEXT UP
BYU hosts the Los Angeles Legends, next Friday, May 21 at 8 p.m. in Provo. It will be live on BYUtv.
