From Deseret News archives:

Cougars get their kicks in season-opening win

By Jason Wells
For the Deseret Morning News

Published: Monday, May 17, 2004 10:36 a.m. MDT

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PROVO — The Nevada Wonders are quickly becoming the favorite opponent of the BYU men's soccer team.

Last year in the Cougars' inaugural season as a Premiere Development League team, BYU defeated Nevada in its first game of the season, 3-0. Friday night, history repeated itself as the Cougars (1-3) won their first game of the 2004 season — 2-0 over the Wonders (1-3) at South Field.

"I am definitely happy to get the win," said BYU coach Chris Watkins. "Our guys work hard all week and have to be the hardest workers in the league. To have that work pay off is great."

The Cougars kept Nevada goalkeeper Carlos Rengifo busy all night by, attempting a season-high 18 shots, including 11 and a score by forward Chris Lamb in the first period.

On defense, BYU keeper Brandon Gilliam recorded his first win of the year as well as the first shutout victory for the Cougars since the May 2, 2003, win over the Wonders.

"My strongest point is reading the game and knowing when a shot is coming and then step in front of it," said Gilliam.

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For the first time this season the Cougars found themselves leading the game after the first period of play thanks to a strong offensive period where BYU managed to get off 10 shots on the Wonders including four shots on goal and the second score of the season for the Cougars.

BYU got on the scoreboard 11:15 into the game when forward Matt Affleck broke through the Nevada defense on the left side of the goal and found Lamb streaking through the middle of the box.

Lamb took Affleck's pass with with a one-touch blast into the back of the Nevada net to give the Cougars the early 1-0 lead.

"I recognized we would have an advantage at the wing and when Affleck broke through I knew he would hit me and I just put it away," said Lamb.

The Cougars went on to win the game and with 20 second left to play, BYU forward Christian Russell drilled the second goal of the game into the net for the 2-0 win.

The Wonders and Cougars square off again tonight at 7:30 in Provo at South Stadium.