Some thoughts after re-watching the game:

First, let's discuss the box formation the coaches have implemented this season that everyone is talking about in the league. It's essentially a 4-2-2-2-0 formation (essentially 4 defenders and 6 midfielders), which is a centrally packed midfield that is designed to have overwhelming numbers in the middle of the field, both offensively and defensively, in order to keep possession and control the game. The outside backs are able to move forward quickly into the attack, while also being "covered" in defense by the two defensive midfielders. The central midfielders are skilled players who can control possession and distribute to the two attacking midfielders. There really aren't traditional forwards in this formation as the idea is to keep your players compact in the middle of the field and work as a group both up and down the field as a unit. This can be a very effective formation if you have skilled players on the ball who have exceptional passing ability in tight spaces. I understand why the coaches found this formation attractive and implemented it because we have struggled to keep possession over the last several years and this year we may finally have the right players to make it work. We saw the potential of this in the first match against Ole Miss, but we also saw the problems with it against a team like Arkansas.

This formation worked to near perfection in the first 25 minutes with possession with numbers in the middle of the field against Arkansas. However, Coach Hale had an excellent adjustment by pressuring the center backs with 2 forwards and sometimes with other runners as well, which resulted in turnovers and quick scoring chances when mistakes were made. When we broke through that pressure, it created space behind them in the middle of the field and gave us a chance to move quickly into attack with numbers. However, in the end the pressure paid off for Arkansas with organized chaos in the second half, and it broke A&M's ability to get any rhythm in the box formation like they did early in the game. Because the back line plays an aggressive high line, they are vulnerable to counters even with 4 players (especially when Lopez and Kolb go forward into attack), so when a center back makes a mistake, they are vulnerable to numbers and it's usually a scoring chance. And with Sample in particular having a rough game (I counted 5 turnovers, 2 missed assignments, 3 fouls, 3 times out of position upfield), it put tremendous pressure on Katie Smith and Hutton. And once we got frustrated and broke our shape in the second half, the game was essentially over as we played into the Hogs' hands.

The midfielders got winded in the second half as Arkansas won a lot of 50/50 balls. We definitely should have substituted more often but I'm not sure who is game ready at this point. There were too many turnovers on bad passes, especially when passing in the final third. I thought Ziemer had a rough game. Olivieri did have a good game overall as her ability to keep possession and distribution skills are excellent, and she combined with McCain for the only goal of the game. I continue to think that Colvin needs to start.

Without Carroll (who would have made huge difference in the outcome) we have a serious issue at the attacking midfielder position in this new formation. There are no real scoring threats outside of her right now, so that is why McCain is forced manufacture some offense from her central midfield instead. Anderson Williams had her debut but really struggled with the pace of the game and decision making and needs some development, which I must admit surprised me. Russell is quick and fast but still struggles to maintain possession (especially on first touches) as a smaller player and she struggles to get any shots or quality looks at goal. Is Rheagan Smith injured? I did like what I saw from Geczik though and she should probably get some extended minutes to see if she might be an answer here.

I'm sorry, but GK play is simply not good enough. Hutton did have a couple of good saves, but she just doesn't have a feel for the game or good judgment in the box. On the second goal she has to punch that ball out of the box, not just knock it down on the ground. And on another occasion she tried to clear a ball with her feet in traffic in the box, which was strange. It doesn't help when there are a lot of back passes to her as well, which puts defense under pressure. I really hope the coaches give the other GKs a chance to win the job, otherwise, we are in a dire situation at the position, which is shocking for a Coach G team, which has always had great GK play.

So my issue with this box formation is that it's great if it results in scoring opportunities and lots of shots on goal, but we don't have the attacking midfielders right now (outside of Carroll) to make it effective against the better teams in the league, especially physical ones like Arkansas. The Hogs have given the SEC the blueprint for how to beat this formation, so the coaches will need to adjust some things going forward.

The missed PK by Lopez was bad as she was just trying to be too perfect on the placement in the corner. After the missed PK, we never looked the same as we lost energy throughout the match. Lopez did have some good runs on the flank and had a few good crosses into the box which were not connected. A&M had 6 corners, all ineffective and not dangerous at all, so that is a problem.

BTW, the announcers (Foudy, Yardley) for this game were excellent and understood what was happening and the strategy by both coaches. I hope we see them again as most announcers are clueless and have no idea what is going on.

Hale is a very good coach and Arkansas may have passed A&M as a program now (especially if they win the SEC again this season) with 3 straight wins despite being behind us in overall talent. A&M has out recruited the Hogs for years, so the continued struggles against them is disappointing. Arkansas probably should have had 4 goals, one of which was called back for an incorrect offsides call. And when you consider that Ole Miss should have scored 2 goals as well, that's 6 goals that should have been scored in just two games against this new box formation, which is not a good sign going forward. Hopefully it's just growing pains because there is potential for it to be successful.