The ISU soccer team has begun its conference schedule on a three-game losing streak, including two losses on the road this past weekend. The Cyclones (8-6, 0-3 Big 12) fell at Oklahoma State on Friday night and at Texas Tech on Sunday afternoon.

The Cyclones kept the advantage in most statistical categories Friday night, but the Cowgirls (10-3, 1-2 Big 12) managed to score the game’s only goal from a penalty kick in the 13th minute.

“We dominated Oklahoma State,” said ISU coach Wendy Dillinger. “Their coach even said in their paper that we should’ve been up 3-1 at halftime. We’re definitely competing, challenging; we’re just not getting the bounces.”

The Cyclones outshot the Cowgirls by a 16-9 margin on Friday, including an 11-2 first half shot advantage.

The Cyclones faced off against a hot Texas Tech (10-3, 2-1 Big 12) team Sunday afternoon. The Red Raiders defeated the Cyclones 2-1, bringing Texas Tech to 6-0 at home this season.

“Texas Tech came out fighting, and we didn’t come out the best that we could,” said junior Jennifer Dominguez. “We didn’t play with urgency. Defense played extremely spectacular. Andrea Swanson had a great game; she made some amazing saves, but offensively there just wasn’t the urgency there.”

The Cyclones’ lone goal came from a Theresa Kucera penalty kick in the 33rd minute.

The Red Raiders notched goals from freshman Janine Beckie in the 13th minute and sophomore Paige Strahan in the 55th minute. Beckie’s goal was her eighth of the season, which ties her for the conference lead.

“To go down 1-0, it takes a lot to come back from that, so it was good to get that [penalty kick],” said junior Jessica Stewart. “Second half, we came out slow, and they were able to capitalize on a good opportunity. We had a lot of chances to put the game away, and we just couldn’t find the back of the net.”

This weekend’s losses have sent the Cyclones to the bottom of the conference standings. Last season, the Cyclones began the Big 12 schedule on a five-game losing streak before finishing the season with a 2-6 conference record.

“I think one of the biggest things is: We have to put away opportunities,” Stewart said about what it takes to win in the Big 12. “You have to put the ball in the back of the net. Whether that’s running through it or shooting it, it has to go there.”

The Cyclones move on to host TCU and West Virginia this weekend in Ames.