The ISU soccer team heads to Lincoln, Neb., this weekend to take part in the Husker Invitational. The Cyclones (2-0) will face New Mexico in the afternoon of Friday, Aug. 24, and Virginia Tech the following Sunday morning.

Iowa State won both of its games in Omaha, Neb., last weekend, including a thrilling overtime victory against Creighton on Sunday, Aug. 19. The Big 12 named Emily Goldstein offensive player of the week and goalkeeper, Maddie Jobe, defensive player of the week on Tuesday for their play in last weekend’s games.

Both New Mexico and Virginia Tech put together impressive seasons last year and made it to the NCAA Championships.

The Lobos (0-1-1) finished with a 12-5-4 record and won nine of their last 12 games before losing to UCLA in the first round of the NCAA tournament. The Hokies (2-0) came in at 14-8-1, making it to the third round of the tournament before losing to Virginia.

“We’re expecting to come out with two wins [this weekend],” Goldstein said. “These are two good teams that can really help our RPI. They were both in the NCAA tournament last year, so it will just be a good game for us and will really help us with the Big 12 season.”

The Cyclones’ knowledge of this weekend’s opponents is very limited, as nobody on the roster has faced either team before. What is known is both teams are going to challenge Iowa State for the full 90 minutes.

“It gives us perspective on the game,” Goldstein said. “We can come out and play our style, since we don’t really know how they necessarily play.”

Two of Goldstein’s best friends from high school play for New Mexico. She said the Lobos play a similar style to the Cyclones and pack a pretty physical punch as well.

Iowa State’s defense has yet to concede a goal in the season’s first two games. This is a testament to how the team has played from top to bottom, forwards to goalkeepers.

“We have great, solid defense, a lot of speed in the back and some upperclassmen,” said ISU senior, Megan Longobardi. “That’s a good thing to have that back there. It’s definitely a huge part for us as a team.”

ISU coach Wendy Dillinger is very pleased with how both Maddie Jobe and Andrea Swanson have played in goal, as well. She said they are challenging each other to reach their peak at every practice and game.

The Cyclones currently stand at 2-0. Maintaining that undefeated mark can be a huge motivational factor for the players and coaches. They know they have a long way to go as a team, but are continuing to build confidence with the foundation they’ve built early on.

The Cyclones see these early games as great preparation for the Big 12 schedule.

“We want to be 4-0,” Dillinger said. “We really want to come out strong, solid, all over the field for 90 minutes. Starting each half strong is one of the keys that we’re going to focus on heading into the weekend.”

The Cyclones kick off the weekend against New Mexico at 3:30 p.m. Friday, with the game against Virginia Tech at 10:30 a.m. Sunday.