BYU soccer: Ogden ends long streak of losses to Cougars

Not only did they break a three-game losing streak in which they didn't score a single goal, but they were finally able to turn the tables on BYU, a team they haven't been able to beat in almost two years.

Down 1-0, Ogden (4-6-2) scored consecutive goals within seven minutes of each other to capture a 2-1 victory over in-state rival BYU (5-5-2).

"It's been a long two years losing to these guys," said Ogden coach Mike Hickman. "I thought Matt Broadhead played really well today, and I thought my forwards did a great job, but basically it was a team effort. I told the kids that we're going to do this as a team or we're not going to do it."

After a scoreless first half in which the Cougars outshot the Outlaws 7-4, BYU scored first on a free kick in the 53rd minute from just outside the box on the top right side. Zack De Francis was fouled hard enough by Michael Hickman to earn one of six yellow cards combined for both teams in the game. Richie Bindrup took the kick and bent it around the left side of the wall past the keeper, just inside the far post, to give the Cougars the 1-0 lead.

Four minutes later, the Outlaws responded. Broadhead crossed the ball from right to left inside the box to Flynn Stewart-Franzen, who blasted a shot past the goalie to bring the Outlaws even at 1-1.

In the 64th minute, Morgan Gilliam was whistled for a foul just outside the top right side of the box. Broadhead took the free kick and chipped it over the wall into the near side of the goal to give the Outlaws the 2-1 lead and the eventual win.

BYU had opportunities down the stretch of this intense, hard-fought game, but it was unable to convert.

"This is a rivalry, man," said Hickman. "We've played each other a lot of times over the past couple of years, and some of these guys have played club together, and they don't want to lose to each other."

BYU coach Chris Watkins was disappointed in the play of his Cougars, who were outshot 4-3 in the second half.

"We're not a very good team," said Watkins. "We're just not dangerous and creative enough."

The Cougars took the first of four games this year against Ogden last month. Friday night's game is the first of three straight against Ogden, all within eight days.

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