Rivalries revisited. The Iowa State soccer team travels around the state of Iowa this weekend for two in-state rivalry games. The Cyclones will first take on Iowa Friday night in Iowa City, and then take a trip to Des Moines to compete with Drake.

Last year the Hawkeyes marched into Ames and stole a win from the ISU women’s soccer team, 3-2.

This year the battle for the Cy-Hawk series is different.

For starters, the game is in Iowa City. This game will be the last of the series for many seniors and they want to leave the rivalry with a bang. Senior captain Casey Bothwell said of her last Iowa-Iowa State game, “The best way to go out is to beat them on their own field.”

Head coach Wendy Dillinger also said her team has changed since the last time the Hawkeyes took the field against them.

We’re fitter, more solid defensively all over the field,” Dillinger said. “Great chemistry and camaraderie. The team is really playing together. We’re able to put together a solid 90-minute game.”

The Cyclones’ defense has vastly improved from last year. The defense ranks among the top in the nation in all categories, allowing only 0.65 goals per game, making it one of the stingiest defenses in the Big 12. To go into Iowa City and win, the Cyclones will rely heavily on their defense and All-Big 12 goalkeeper Ann Gleason.

The attitude of the team is also different.

“It’s very upbeat,” Dillinger said. “The girls are in great spirits, we’ve been working hard and training hard, so far we’ve done well.”

Bothwell said that the game really means a lot to those players from Iowa, who will be playing against old teammates and classmates.

Although the rivalry in women’s soccer has been short-lived, the Cyclones hold a one game lead over the Hawkeyes overall, with a record of 5-4-2.

On Sunday, the Cyclones make the short trip to Des Moines to take on the Drake Bulldogs. Last year the Cyclones beat Drake 2-1 in Ames.

“They’re in-state schools, and we do have great rivalries with them,” Dillinger said. “There’s a lot of respect for the coaches of the programs that they run in the state. It’s definitely a good rivalry, but it’s on good terms.”