Aggies win: 1-0!

First, I've noticed a steady decline in attendance at Fish Camp games over the last several years. I'm not sure why but this is an off weekend for football and the game came later than usual from the first day of school. It was a disappointing showing from the freshmen for sure. To the game, Ohio State was dealt a harsh result tonight after outplaying A&M for long stretches of the match. Both teams had chances in front of goal, but A&M finished one terrific free kick by Lopez and that was the difference. A&M dominated the first 10 minutes and had 2-point blank chances in front of goal to take control of the match but couldn't convert. The Buckeyes slowly took away possession and frustrated A&M's lumbering midfield, which just couldn't keep up or keep the ball when they had it. We had several players have off nights, including Watt, who looked plain disinterested in the match. At times there was a lot of ball watching and a lack of hustle which was surprising. I actually think it was A&M that was wilting in the humid warm air and OSU that seemed to get stronger as the match unfolded. Stamina wasn't there tonight.

• Lopez continues to be the heart of this team and without her A&M loses this match. She is a step faster than last year and it results in a lot of end line runs and great crosses into the box. We just need someone to finish those scoring chances in front of goal.

• Hutton made some key saves late in the match with her quick reflexes as the defense was really struggling to keep OSU at bay in the last 20 minutes. However, she continues to make poor decisions in passing out of the back, putting pressure on a back line that doesn't need any more difficult decision making as the frequent turnovers prove. She doesn't have a strong long kick, but it's still a better option than rolling it out to her defense.

• Katie Smith showed some flashes tonight with a few good long runs at the defense and she brought good energy into the game.

• Rheagan Smith is close to becoming a really good player. Once she can consistently break away from opponents after possessing the ball, she will get a lot more looks at goal.

• The outside backs were consistently beaten by OSU forwards on the flanks. OSU had much more team speed than I expected, and they seemed to have an actual strategy when they moved forward in attack. I can't say the same for A&M's attack tonight.

• The foul on Smith that resulted in the free kick goal didn't look like a foul to me. Smith seemed to run into the OSU defender and fell down. Maybe a lucky break for A&M.

• The midfield was losing its shape on the right side of the field way too much and left acres of space for OSU to operate in. I haven't seen that in a long time at A&M. We are in desperate need of some athletic and fast midfielders in recruiting. Some of it may have been the result of sagging back to help an overwhelmed back three at times, which is why the coaches should have adjusted with a 4-back set so the midfield could actually play their positions.

• A&M must finish off their chances in front of goal. I counted at least 4 point blank shots within 10 yards of goal that should have been finished. That would have completely changed the complexion of this game and we're not scrambling in the last 15 minutes of the match.

The coaches have a lot of work to do with this team because they are not living up to expectations. That was a very disappointing performance against a winless team, which outplayed them in the biggest atmosphere of the season. I just don't understand the lack of focus and timid play at times. Someone needs to be a leader and start elevating the team around them. It's still early but I'm not sure if this team is better than a .500 team in SEC play, which would be unacceptable in my opinion. We have enough talent to win the league, albeit a bit shorthanded in the midfield, so it's up to the coaches to motivate this group and put the best combination on the field to control matches. We are winning games, but make no mistake, the competition is about to get much tougher at BYU and in conference, so play like tonight will result in losses.

So some of you seem to think the keeper position is one of our biggest issues. Really? I think she deserved player of the match against Ohio State. Yes she is a freshman and makes freshman mistakes on the field. But so far she hasn't cost us a goal, Looking at the scoreline, I would think you'd save the majority of complaints for players that are usually much further up the field compared to our keeper.