As Iowa State gets underway in the Big 12, the soccer team will do so with a loss.

The Cyclones (6-5, 0-1 Big 12) dropped a close 2-1 match to No. 15 Texas Tech on Friday in front of a record crowd of 1,574. For the Red Raiders (10-1, 1-0 Big 12), it was their sixth win in a row since losing to Long Beach State by a score of 3-2.

After ceding two early goals, Iowa State managed to rally back late in the second half off of a Haley Albert header. Iowa State continued to push the Red Raider defense back and keep them on their heels, but time ran out before the score could be leveled.

“We talked this week about who we are and what defines us: team unity, chemistry and never giving up and I think we saw that tonight,” said ISU coach Wendy Dillinger. “We’re going to continue to move forward and push forward, but you can’t ask for a lot more than the effort and fight that they put up tonight.”

The Red Raiders came at the Cyclones early, connecting on strings of give and gos and finding open lanes in the deep third. Within the first minute of the game, Texas Tech was able to get off two shots-on-goal.

Texas Tech finally hit pay dirt in the 23rd minute after capitalizing on a free kick. The ball was volleyed off a Red Raider player’s head in between the penalty spot and the 18 then arched over the arms of ISU goalkeeper Maddie Jobe as she came off of her line.

The Red Raiders would go on to score again, but not after a bit of controversy.

As Jobe leaped up to make a save, the side judge ruled that as she caught the ball, the ball crossed over the goal line, resulting in a point for the Red Raiders.

“It was really hard when they called that second goal, but we came back really well as a team to show that something like that didn’t destroy us,” said senior midfielder Emily Goldstein. “We out-shot them, so I think it’s really good for us moving forward into the next games.”

The second half started and the two teams were in a stalemate until Jennifer Dominguez lined up for a corner kick in the 82nd minute. As the ball came down just in front of the penalty mark, sophomore Haley Albert took to the air and headed the ball in the back of the net.

At 6 feet 1 inch, Albert is the tallest player for the Cyclones and said her size helped her get up to the ball before the defense.

“I just knew that there was a girl in front of me, so obviously with my height advantage I knew I could get in front of her and get above her,” Albert said. “It gave us some energy, kind of like a second wind. The bench got into it and it helps a lot when the fans are in it, too.”

Iowa State’s next matchup will come against Kansas on Friday, Oct. 4, at the Cyclone Sports Complex.