The ISU soccer team begins Big 12 play Friday, hosting the Missouri Tigers.

After early season ups and downs in non-conference play, the Cyclones (4-4-0) know they have to be on the top of their game if they want to succeed in their conference schedule.

“The Big 12 is tough,” said coach Wendy Dillinger. “If you look at the results from past seasons and the results this season, it’s one of the best leagues in the nation.”

Playing at a high intensity will be a key for Cyclones against Missouri.

“Missouri is fast and has a lot of good individual players up front,” said senior Erin Curry.

The Tigers (5-2-0) are just outside the top 25 in the NSCAA/Adidas poll, receiving 10 votes. Playing against quality teams in non-conference play gives Missouri solid experience, as the Tigers’ only losses came against No. 17 Illinois in overtime and No. 18 California on the road.

Both Missouri and Iowa State share a common opponent from last weekend: The Tigers defeated Iowa 2-1 on Friday, while the Cyclones fell 3-2 to the Hawkeyes on Sunday.

Missouri leads the all-time series 8-4-1, but Iowa State upended the Tigers 4-3 at home last year.

Following Friday’s match against Missouri, Iowa State will welcome the No. 25 Kansas Jayhawks to the ISU Soccer Complex.

As for Sunday’s match against Kansas (6-2-0), the Cyclones will get their second chance this season to knock off a top 25 team.

The Jayhawks are coming off a 2-1 loss to No. 15 Florida, despite holding a 1-0 lead early in the second half.

One common opponent between the Cyclones and Jayhawks this year is Drake. Kansas defeated the Bulldogs in their first game of the season 3-0, while Iowa State came away last Friday with just a 2-1 victory.

The Jayhawks lead the all-time series 9-4. Last season, Kansas took a 1-0 decision at home over the Cyclones.

“If we are going to hang with the teams in the Big 12, we will have to play at our highest level and finish out a whole game,” said junior Lauren Odino.

The Cyclones placed eighth in the conference last season, so a chance to start out with two wins is a goal for the team.

“We need to take care of what we can and play for each other,” Odino said. “Coming away with two wins this weekend would be huge.”

Dillinger gets first shot against Big 12

The upcoming match will be Dillinger’s first conference game, and she is ready to play and coach against teams in the conference.

“It will be great for our team,” Dillinger said. “Our conference provides a tough task each time you step on the field, and it should be fun to see what we can do.”

Connections

This Sunday’s match against Kansas will pit a few Cyclone and Jayhawk players together, but this time on opposing sides.

Kansas seniors Jessica Bush and Missy Geha both played for the KCFC Dynamos with junior Adrianna O’ Neill.

Along with those three, both goalkeepers have a recent past together as well. Kansas’ Julie Hanly and junior Ann Gleason for the Cyclones played on Minnesota’s Region II ODP team.

Iowa State sets attendance record

A record number 892 fans were on hand at the ISU soccer complex last Friday to see Julie Chen’s last-minute goal propel the Cyclones to a 2-1 victory against Drake. Spectators at Sunday’s match against Iowa came close to matching Friday’s total, as 884 fans passed through the gates. The previous record was 641 fans in a match against Texas A&M match on Oct. 19, 2007.