Three games have equaled three wins for the ISU soccer team, but there is no guarantee for a fourth.

The ISU team took down South Dakota and South Dakota State to open up its season while surrendering only two goals. On Monday, Aug. 27, the team (3-0, 0-0) completed its trifecta by defeating Western Illinois 2-1.

“The thing that is really impressive about this group is that this [game against Western Illinois] was their third game in five days,” said ISU coach Wendy Dillinger. “So to be able and come out with the energy that we had in that third game and still have enough legs [was good]. And really I think the mental aspect for us, knowing when to attack and knowing when to play it backwards, was spot on.”

Iowa State’s “fresh legs” were most apparent on its attack. Against Western Illinois, Iowa State rattled off 26 shots, but only netted two goals.

“I think a lot of times, the angle of approach into the goal, especially the crosses and services were tucked in too tight. We need to hold our space a little more to give ourselves an opportunity to actually finish those,” Dillinger said. “Some of those chances we’re swinging half-chance under pressure, whereas if we’re backed out a few more yards, we can get a better look and a better shot.”

When the offense finds ways to put points on the board, goalie Maddie Jobe and her defensive crew figure out how to keep points off it.

“To keep, in the third game in the organization that we do, it’s good,” Jobe said. “I think in previous games, we were still kind of getting it together, but this time we have the shifting out and dropping in, so it’s coming together nicely.”

Iowa State will take on Minnesota at 1 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 1, at the Cyclones Sports Complex.

While the past three games have been a confidence booster for the team, they aren’t resting on their laurels.

“It’s a motivator, but we still need to take one game at a time,” Jobe said. “We still need to refocus and as much as we want those [last] three games to matter, we’ve still got to get this win.”