With low expectations after a late Friday defeat and an ending to the season coming into view, the ISU soccer team toughed out a draw and earned a point in conference play with a 0-0 finish against No. 15 Colorado.

The Buffaloes almost overloaded the scoreboard at the ISU Soccer Complex on Sunday, taking 37 shots, putting 15 on goal in a game that lasted 110 minutes. The Cyclones somehow stayed in the game, putting nine shots on goal in regulation and one more in the second overtime, but defensive clearances and brilliant goalkeeping kept Iowa State mathematically in the Big 12 tournament hunt.

“We just came out and finally played together for a full 90 minutes. The key was consistency, and we really played for each other,” said junior defender Lauren Fader.

Changing out starter goalkeeper Ann Gleason for sophomore Ashley Costanzo in the second half turned out to work as the coaching staff planned, with Costanzo making diving stop after stop, tallying 12 saves from actual shots on goal. The defense’s ability to bend but not break was the key to keeping the Cyclones in the game, and timely pressure from the offense made possession easier on a windy afternoon.

“The defense was good in covering tight late in the game, keeping pressure on [Colorado]. Ann and Ashley played amazing, and we were lucky to have them back there in goal,” Fader said.

 Although Colorado had plenty of looks on goal, the defense prevented any breakaways and Gleason and Costanzo were able to shut out the Big 12-leading Buffaloes.

“We fought hard and came out more composed than Friday,” Fader said. “We always want to win, but getting that point is really helpful to keep our season going.”

Once the game went on, the players playing full time became more fatigued, and with the slow legs came stoppages. Three players were shaken up in the first overtime, halting the clock each time.

The Cyclones had a few chances on breakaways to score, including Amanda Nimtz’s shot at the top of the box that was partially tipped by the approaching goalkeeper in the second overtime. In a game that saw huge statistical differences, the differences on the field weren’t large enough to put any shots in the back of the net.

Unfortunately for the Cyclones, the games outside their control went the opposite way they needed to in order to stay in the race. Oklahoma got its first win of the Big 12 schedule over Baylor on Sunday, putting the Cyclones in last place.

In order to qualify for the Big 12 tournament, a team must finish in the top eight of the conference.

Iowa State needs seven points in its last three games just to tie the current eighth place team, Texas Tech. A victory by a Texas Tech or a loss at Oklahoma next weekend would squelch the Cyclones’ postseason hopes.