Freshman forward Amanda Woelfel and sophomore midfielder Laura Wooster have already accomplished a lot together on the soccer field, including winning two state championships, serving as team captains in their respective senior years and being chosen as Class A All-State. They combined for seven goals and nine assists to finish their high school careers with the Millard North High School Mustangs of Omaha, Neb.

The dynamic duo now hope to use their experience together to help the Cyclones build off last year’s disappointing 5-12-2 season.

The transition on the record aspect wasn’t all that hard, though.

“Its not hard coming here at all because I know how good this team is and I know of the potential that this team has,” Woelfel said. “Every single player is amazing and unique in their own ways; we just need to work together on the field and show people that we are the team to beat.”

Where the transition was difficult was the step up in the competition.

“Coming from Millard North, where winning is almost expected, to Iowa State was a transition,” Wooster said. “The competition in high school is much lower than what we face in college. No team can expect to win every time.”

With Wooster at midfield and Woelfel at forward, it allows them to feed off each other.

“It definitely helps because we’ve played together for so long I know what she is going to do when she gets the ball in certain situations,” Wooster said.

This is helped out by different types of abilities on the soccer field. Woelfel praises Wooster for being so technically sound with the ball, her running ability and for always pushing her.

“Now that I’m learning a new position (from defender to forward), I have been able to look up to Wooster and ask her questions if I need help or advice to make me better as a player,” Woelfel said.

As a midfielder, Wooster feels that Woelfel isn’t going to have any trouble transitioning to a forward position as she believes that Woelfel has a dangerous shot and she compliments her playing style by moving the ball quickly.

Senior forward Casey Bothwell agrees that the girls bring two different yet useful dynamics to the team.

Bothwell said Wooster brings speed and her ability to make successful crosses into the box while Woelfel brings great composure and a good eye for the passing lanes.

“Laura’s speed and ability to get to the end line to get a cross off in the box will allow our team to shoot and score,” Bothwell said. “Laura can be very dangerous for us; her speed and work ethic are a weapon we will use all this year. Amanda’s composure and ability to link passes from the midfield to the forwards will help us maintain possession and flow throughout the games. Amanda also has an amazing shot; if she looks to shoot in games, she will become a dangerous weapon in the attack for us this year.”

Wooster and Woelfel were prepared to play at this high level thanks in part to their high school coach, John Walsh.

“When I started playing high school soccer I never would have imagined I’d end up playing here, but Coach Walsh just pushed us to a level that we didn’t think we could get to,” Woelfel said.

One thing the girls were never short on in high school was effort. Walsh credited them for leading by example and their preparation in training sessions.

“We have been fortunate to have players like Amanda and Laura lead our program the last couple years. Both of these players are very competitive and having that helped our team and [their] teammates get better,” Walsh said.

The Cyclones’ aggressive, physical play is also something familiar to them, as Walsh used the same type of playing style with his state championship teams. The biggest adjustment for them came in the speed of the game.

“The toughest thing I had to get used to was how fast the game is here, especially in as tough and competitive of conference that we are in, but having Laura here is a big help,” Woelfel said. “She’s done a great job helping me transition.”