First of all, that Butler coach is one heck of a coach. That team is so fundamentally sound defensively it's pretty amazing. There were almost no gaps or mistakes all night, even when we stretched them and had good crosses into the box. Yes, A&M missed a few chances to connect in front of goal, but there was always a defender right on their hip. The best chance to score was from distance and we had a couple of shots go off the crossbar. We clearly got frustrated and that led to the ejections but the game was over long before then. There were a few controversial calls - Harvey taken down in the box and an offsides call that negated a goal - but right now the offense is just not dangerous in front of goal. When was the last time Watt actually connected on a header in the box? Why do we not take more shots from the 18-20 yard mark when there is an opportunity? Why do all our slotted passes or long balls go way too far? Why do we continue to play a 3-back set that is giving up goals left and right and cannot defend on counter attacks because we don't have the speed to recover?
At this point I have to admit that right now it doesn't look like this team is going to be the team I expected in the offseason. There is a lot of individual talent and super athletes on the roster, but they aren't able to connect enough passes in the final third to be dangerous or create enough chances to offset our very poor conversion rate on shots on goal. A&M dominated possession tonight but Butler played the perfect counter attacking style. It's really not acceptable to give up 2 goals to that squad though. The 2nd goal was just poor GK. I've been calling for Ausmus to be given an opportunity but maybe she's injured? The defense is just a mess right now when trying to defend counter attacks. It's time to put 4 players on the backline.
I really do think the season is in the balance on Sunday because a loss to a good Kansas side will really kill our chances for a high seed in the NCAA tourney. Now with Harvey out (I assume) that will only complicate things in the midfield. We really need this team to regroup and dig deep to pull out at least a tie on the road. Then we can prepare for a tough test at Auburn. The team needs to mentally fight through these next two games or the season could be derailed quickly. Man, this is really depressing because we seem to be wasting a lot of talent out there.
At this point I have to admit that right now it doesn't look like this team is going to be the team I expected in the offseason. There is a lot of individual talent and super athletes on the roster, but they aren't able to connect enough passes in the final third to be dangerous or create enough chances to offset our very poor conversion rate on shots on goal. A&M dominated possession tonight but Butler played the perfect counter attacking style. It's really not acceptable to give up 2 goals to that squad though. The 2nd goal was just poor GK. I've been calling for Ausmus to be given an opportunity but maybe she's injured? The defense is just a mess right now when trying to defend counter attacks. It's time to put 4 players on the backline.
I really do think the season is in the balance on Sunday because a loss to a good Kansas side will really kill our chances for a high seed in the NCAA tourney. Now with Harvey out (I assume) that will only complicate things in the midfield. We really need this team to regroup and dig deep to pull out at least a tie on the road. Then we can prepare for a tough test at Auburn. The team needs to mentally fight through these next two games or the season could be derailed quickly. Man, this is really depressing because we seem to be wasting a lot of talent out there.