A&M was far from perfect but rallying from behind in the second half to beat a highly ranked team on the road is pretty impressive.

I may do a more thorough breakdown of the film later, but I can't remember the last time an Aggie soccer team flat out stole a match in which they were completely outplayed. The positive side will say think how good A&M will be when they actually put a consistent performance together and learn how to connect more passes in rhythm. The negative side will be very concerned about many issues on the team that may not be correctable in-season; I mean, there were times when I wondered what exactly we had been doing all pre-season camp? It was disjointed at best. But defeating a really good team like Santa Clara on the road when you are very efficient in chances on goal (3 of 6 by my count about 50%) is encouraging and means that this team will stay in a lot of games even when things aren't going well. It was also a huge win for RPI purposes because we really don't have many more opportunities in non-conference to help that crucial percentage. However, the Pepperdine has suddenly become a very tough game if A&M plays like that again on Sunday. I have no idea which team will show up, the first half team that was embarrassed, or the second half team that played with much more energy and determination.

A few takeaways:

• The coaches really do a good job of in-game adjustments, especially at half time. The move of Taylor Zeimer to defensive mid and going to Karlina Sample in the middle instead of Alston (who left the game after really struggling) helped limit Santa Clara to only 1 goal in the second half. I just wish the coaches would game plan better so we're not scrambling so much to make changes.

• There was really disappointing play tonight from some of the veteran players, especially in the midfield. The lack of awareness and inability to complete A to B point blank passes was disheartening to say the least. We looked very tired and lethargic in the first half as well (maybe camp was too hard with the heat?). Asdis did come back in the second half and played well down the stretch. I'm really concerned about how slow we looked in the midfield in general and we don't handle pressure well at all.

• Shantel Hutton had a nice debut but she needs development, especially in timing of when to come off her line. The two goals given up were not her fault because the back line was disastrous in the first half and then just simply didn't mark a few players in the second half. I don't understand why the back line is constantly scrambling to get back and has unmarked players on the outside. Hill was playing way too far upfield and struggled to recover several times. She did play well in the second half though.

• I liked what I saw from Macie Kolb and Rheagan Smith in the second half. They both brought energy and effort into the game.

• Lopez had a slow start but gradually got herself in the game and of course converted the PK for the win. She needs to clean up some of those passes though.

• Watt looks electric this season as expected and had a clinical finish for her goal which was well taken. She needs to take on the defense a bit more though which opens up others around her.

• McCain had a nice finish for a goal off a rebound, but she was rusty at times out there.

• Daria Britton showed some flashes in the second half with her accurate passes in the midfield. Let's give her some extended minutes out there and see what she can do.

• Russell does have good speed and can be dangerous when she has the ball. She is going to be an exciting player for A&M in the future.

Let's see how A&M performs on Sunday, but although we escaped with a win here, I may have to dial back my expectations for this team because of the real limitations in the midfield right now. I still think we have a talented roster, but some players simply didn't show up tonight. We could take on the look of a team like South Carolina a few years ago when they were a 1-woman team with McCaskill they would just hang around and then finish off 1 chance by her and win the game. We might do the same with Watt, who is clearly an All-American this season.

Am I the only one that wasn't completely upset with how the Aggies played? I expected another under performing year and they played better than I expected. Santa Clara is really a good team, especially some of their freshmen who played. I do think the coaches will need to tweak a few more players position to get the right combination, but I was absolutely impressed with Sample, Britton and Russell.

For Hutton, she really does have potential, but I think she will need a year of development under G. You can tell she wants to be aggressive off her line, but hesitates which can lead to miscommunication with the back line and big mistakes. I think growing her confidence (because she is good) and playing more with the defense will help improve this over this season.

Hutton

Smith (Walton) Sample Britton (Alston) Lopez

Piper
Ziemer McCain (Halldorsdottir)

Russell (R. Smith) Watt Hill (Arrieta)

If the Aggies can play a 4-3-3 system or a 4-5-1 with Ally Watt the target forward. It would be dependent on the team they play. Those that are in parentheses would be substitutes. Once other players who didn't see minutes last night play, I may change my mind. Especially with Byers and Cooper who have shown some sparks. I'm curious what everyone else's opinion for lineups would be.

Always look forward to your recap and analysis, thanks much!