A new formation wasn't enough to fix the young Poplar Bluff Mules' problems.
They switched from a 4-4-2 to a 4-3-3 against Saxony Lutheran on Tuesday and the change initially boosted Poplar Bluff, but the Mules eventually reverted to their habits and lost 3-1 at Mules Stadium.
"I thought it was working, the first 20 minutes we moved the ball really well, and it was like we go back to our same game where we play more direct balls, and (Saxony Lutheran) is a pretty good team," Poplar Bluff coach Rusty Crafton said.
Poplar Bluff (4-15-1) had a pair of near chances in the first 15 minutes, but the Mules' shots were either blocked by the defense or they couldn't get a clean strike on the ball.
Tommy Holland swung an early cross into the box and Zak Lipsey trapped it off his chest. The ball took a high bounce off the turf field and Lipsey's shot from close range went over the crossbar.
Saxony (4-5-1) tried to counter attack early with the Mules keeping possession and had a pair of breakaways, with one shot going off the crossbar and another going directly at Poplar Bluff keeper Justin Moses.
With 12 minutes left in the first half, Saxony's Paul Adams got the ball at the top of the box and made an extra pass to Coby Siebert on the right side, and his close range shot beat Moses on the near post to put Saxony up 1-0.
Down a goal, the Poplar Bluff offense reverted to the same direct play Crafton is trying to get away from.
"We just have to fight adversity, we have to overcome adversity," Crafton said. "I think if we can fight that adversity and not get back to the norm where we play direct everything, and that is the norm we've played throughout all these years, we just have to start playing the width of the field and spread things out. I think it will open things up for us."
With 22 minutes left in the game, Alex Ketcherside caught the Saxony keeper D.J. Dreyer out of position and Ketcherside tried a shot from 40 yards.
Dreyer drifted back toward the goal and jumped, but could only get his fingertips on the ball as it went in to tie the game.
"It was a good shot, just a heads up play. He looked up, 40 yards out, and it was just a heck of a play. Good shot for him," Crafton said.
Saxony countered with goals at the 14 minute mark from Ty Miller and with 8:26 remaining by Adams.
The Mules will stay in their 4-3-3 formation for the rest of the season, Crafton said, despite playing out of position a little bit against Saxony.
"Our center mids need to stay more tucked in, they were getting out of position, staying wide," Crafton said. "There, our two forwards on the outside need to drop back as the wings, and we need to practice it a little bit more. I think once we practice it the rest of the year out, we should be fine for districts."
The Mules have now lost five in a row since beating Greenwood 2-0 in the Kickapoo Shootout on Sept. 28, which is also their only win in the past month.
Poplar Bluff will have its Senior night on Thusday when it hosts Marion (Ill.).