Auburn is much better than I thought as they have a lot of quick athletes that gave us fits. Their offense is very good and really had the backline on its heels most of the game. A&M was fortunate to start fast with 2 good goals in the first 3 minutes because Auburn really dominated the 1st half. The 2nd half play went A&M's way as we settled down and completed more passes and set up more shots on goal. A&M had something like 10 of 13 shots on goal. I don't think I've ever seen that type of efficiency out of an A&M team. However, Auburn outshot A&M on the night and had a few 1v1 opportunities late that Morche saved. So 4-2 was a harsh result for the Tigers. But kudos for A&M coming out strong early and getting the early lead.

A&M continues to struggle with basic passing out of the back and midfield, with several terrible giveaways in our own half, all of which resulted in shots on goal and a goal. That is the same reason we were eliminated in the 2nd round last year to ND. I really don't understand why we continue to do this game after game. Why are the coaches not teaching them to keep the ball on the outside instead of the middle when you are under pressure. Always make mistakes to the outside, never the middle because it's easier to defend mistakes near the sidelines. Piper really struggled tonight and probably shouldn't have been playing with her injury anyway. She had several of those turnovers which set up Auburn chances. McCain, Bates, and Asdis did just enough in the middle to keep us in control of the game in the 2nd half.

A&M also continues to show a penchant for passing back too much, even in the attacking third for some reason. Sometimes you pass backward to avoid intense pressure or to set up a long cross into the box while on offense. But when you pass backward for 3 consecutive passes and put yourself under pressure, or ruin an opportunity to continue to go forward on offense, it just doesn't make sense. We need to go forward more and make opponents tackle us or take the ball away, which usually results in a foul anyway. For example, when Bates started running straight at the defense with the ball, it stretched the backline and forced them to commit, which in turn opened up space to pass into or take a shot. We are so much better when Watt and Bates run at the defense instead of always trying to play the perfect pass or get trapped wide in a corner or give up and pass backward. The other issue that continues to nag us is the lack of touch on passes forward. So many balls kicked too far out in front of players. We have got to take some pace off those passes to give our forwards a chance to run onto it.

I honestly don't know how good this A&M team is because they play so jeckyl and hyde game to game, and even half to half. When we play to our ability and complete passes and complete chances in front of goal (which we did at times tonight) we can play with anyone. But when we play tentatively and don't win 50/50 balls, make poor passes in the middle of the field, and don't create many shots, we really are very average. Thankfully we play at horrid Kentucky on Sunday so maybe we finally get a win on the road.

Ally's goal just made the number 2 spot on sport center tonight!