As the 2012 season unravels, sophomore Andrea Swanson and junior Maddie Jobe continue to prepare themselves for answering the lingering question: Who will be the first person to step foot in the goalie box to start each game?

Breaking down the 2011 season, Jobe was the team’s No. 1 keeper by just two matches with nine starts to her name. Swanson was able to make her mark, starting in seven matches.

Jobe, a native of Eden Prairie, Minn., has been able to accomplish a variety of new marks in Cyclone history, tying with the school record with seven shutouts. She set records for future Cyclone goalies to break in goals-against average with 0.79 and had a save percentage of 867 in the 2011 season.

A former goalie at Valley High School from Clive, Iowa, Swanson joined the Cyclones in the 2011 season to see 803 minutes of action to kick off her first year as a collegiate athlete.

At only a year behind, Jobe said she believes Swanson has helped her both physically and mentally in individual preparation for fulfilling her job and duties of being the current starting goalie.

“She’s definitely the biggest competition I’ve ever had on any team I’ve played for and it’s fun to compete against one another,” Jobe said. “Day after day, we don’t know who’s going to have the starting job so we know that we have to show up ready to do our best every single day,”

Having recorded a season-high of seven saves against No. 2 Oklahoma State in 2011, Swanson is back for the 2012 season with one year of experience. She said that experience has helped her continue providing essential strengths in the goalie box.

“It’s definitely always a competitive environment at practice and we just go out there every day to push each other so we can be the best no matter who’s on the field,” Swanson said. “Regardless, it’s going to be whoever is playing the best at all times and they’re going to have the most reps as possible.”

Coach Wendy Dillinger said it has been both a competitive and supportive connection made between the two, as they are both fully committed and invested into the program and their position.

“[Jobe and Swanson] are very talented with different strengths to bring to the team,” Dillinger said. “The battle is very even and it’s an interesting spot as we can only put one of them on the field.”

Jobe believes that the Cyclone defense overall has progressed significantly since the beginning of the season, where she feels the team had a bit of a slow start.

“We would have liked to put some teams away a little earlier than expected, even though we got the wins with it,” Jobe said. “So far, the highlight of my season has definitely been being able to finally watch our defense come together, especially after the Virginia Tech game.”

The capabilities of Swanson and Jobe will continue to carry on as a major role in how far the Cyclones will progress as the 2012 season continues.