For the Big 12's soccer teams, conference play probably couldn't come soon enough.
The Big 12 took its lumps during nonconference play to the extent that only No. 13 Texas A&M is in the top 15 and No. 20 Kansas is the only other team among the top 25. Three other conference teams in the preseason poll have dropped out.
The main adversary was the Pac-10. UCLA dropped a 5-0 result on Missouri, and that was with the Bruins coach getting red-carded. Washington State put a 4-0 drubbing on Texas, California defeated Texas A&M 2-1 and Texas 4-2, and Stanford blanked then-No. 23 Colorado 4-0.
"It's been disappointing, and all the [Big 12] coaches would say the same," A&M coach G. Guerrieri said. "Some of the other results have been really surprising and make you scratch your head because I know how good the conference is, I know how good Missouri is and I know how talented Texas is."
However, Missouri, which was picked to finish first in the Big 12 along with Texas A&M, is 4-4-1, while Texas is 3-5. Colorado was voted by the conference coaches to finish third, and the Buffaloes are 4-5. They do have the advantage of winning the only league game played, defeating Oklahoma State 1-0 in August.
Going into the season, Guerrieri believed seven or even eight Big 12 teams could make the tournament. That number has taken a hit, with the Jayhawks (7-1-1) being the only club to earn the NCAA's admiration by coming out of nonconference play with a record better than expected.
As coach of the top-rated team in the league, Guerrieri sees that as extra incentive when the Aggies (5-3) go up against those with designs of reaching the postseason.
"What it means for Texas A&M is people will be coming to knock us off for their signature win," Guerrieri said. "So, if they didn't hate us already they are going to really come after us. But that is fine."
After a 3-1 victory over then No. 2 Portland, Guerrieri believes his team is ready for the challenge despite being disappointed in its record.
"We were disappointed in our own results, losing to Purdue and losing to Cal in one-goal games," Guerrieri said. "But the schedule for us prepares our players well for competitive games and playing on the road."
The Aggies played four matches against ranked teams, going 2-2, and their loss came against Purdue, which has since moved into the top 25 at No. 15.
A&M will have to be ready early, with road games at Baylor and Oklahoma this weekend and then home matches with Kansas and Missouri, the two Big 12 teams the Aggies lost to last season.
"Kansas had done well and we know Kansas, they beat us twice last year," Guerrieri said. "They put together good game plans and they have a team that is accustomed to playing together and accustomed to winning."
For the Aggies to get back the title they won four times in a row going into 2008, they will have to count on their depth with three major injuries already.
Holding midfielder Raven Tatum had knee surgery in the offseason, preseason all-Big 12 midfielder Beth West had knee surgery this past week and senior captain Amber Gnatzig injured her ACL against Portland and is out for the season.
The freshman class has played a strong role in the Aggies' game plan, with Kim Castleberry showing skill up front, Mary Schmidt and Chelsea Jones in the midfield and Nora Skelton breaking into the points column last weekend with a goal and an assist. Lyndsey Gnatzig has also given A&M depth on the left side of the back line.
Another addition of sorts from last season is junior Nicole Ketchum, who has taken Tatum's position after starting as a freshman and sophomore and missing all last year with an injury.
The Aggies have also gone with two goalkeepers for most of the season and Guerrieri doesn't see that changing. Preseason All-Big 12 selections Kristin Arnold and Kelly Dyer have typically each played a half.
"We are [sticking with both] because the environment that we've created is that they are both starters," Guerrieri said. "We weren't looking for an environment where they would be worried about making a mistake, because if you're worried about making a mistake you hold yourself back from doing what you need to do."
*
NOTES -- Kansas and A&M were the only two teams with victories over Pac-10 teams. KU defeated Arizona State and A&M opened the season with a 3-0 victory over Southern Cal, which posted 1-0 road wins at Oklahoma and Oklahoma State last weekend. ... The Big 12 was 2-8-1 against the Pac 10.
TEXAS A&M SOCCER
* Friday's game: No. 13 Texas A&M (5-3) at Baylor (4-1-2), 7 p.m.
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