After two consecutive losses, the ISU soccer team needed a change. So when the team stepped on the field against North Dakota, the starting line-up looked a little different, and it worked.

Firing 32 shots, tied for fifth in school history, and scoring four goals against North Dakota, the Cyclones (4-2) put points on the board for the first time since a 2-0 win against Western Illinois on Aug. 27.

So what is the plan for the game against Santa Clara?

“We don’t want to give too much info away,” Dillinger said with a smile. “I think we are still looking at exactly how we want to work it in terms of personnel on the field. We want to have the same concepts going in: holding the ball, playing closer to their goal.”

The full game plan may be a mystery for now, but it is no secret the Cyclones will look for similar offensive production they saw against North Dakota.

However, Santa Clara will not necessarily be like North Dakota. The Broncos own a 3-2 record with those two losses to No. 1 North Carolina and No. 2 Virginia.

In fact, the Broncos are coming off a 1-0 win against then-ranked No. 16 Maryland. Although the team is not in the top 25, they are receiving enough votes to rank 32nd in the nation. 

The Cyclones do not expect to rewrite the record books on offense but hope to create opportunities to win their second straight game.

“It’s starting to come together,” said senior forward Jennifer Dominguez. “Finding a rhythm after having that defensive rhythm already and adding in that offensive component is really going to help going into this weekend.”

Also hoping to continue off the team’s momentum is redshirt junior Susie Potterveld. Against North Dakota, Potterveld had her breakout game, scoring her first career goal and adding an assist.

Described as a “technician” and “tactician” by Dillinger, Potterveld has fit the “team player” role for most of her career at Iowa State. As the ISU offense continues to develop, Potterveld hopes she can continue to contribute in different ways.

“I usually don’t take very many shots so now I know I can keep cracking them and hopefully they will keep going in,” Potterveld said. “I’m more of the assist-type player, so I think if I have more confidence and take it into my own hands, I can have a bigger influence on the team.”

That starts with the tweaked offensive lineup. Potterveld saw increased action against North Dakota, starting the game and playing 53 minutes — a season-high.

The newfound offensive firepower is expected to be better defended when facing Santa Clara, and Potterveld is no exception. However, the pressure to maintain a certain level of play against a better team is not getting to her.

“There is a little bit of pressure, but it is good pressure,” Potterveld said. “It makes me feel better about myself, more confident.”

The team will be in California all weekend, with another game against No. 3 Stanford on Sunday. The game against Santa Clara will kick off at 9 p.m. in Santa Clara, Calif.