Cyclones aim for two more

Iowa States Amanda Nimtz, 6, attempts to move the ball past Baylor defender Rose Zapata, 13, on Sunday, Oct. 21, 2007, at the ISU Soccer Complex. Iowa State beat Baylor 3-1. Photo: Ross LaDue/Iowa State Daily

Iowa State Daily

Iowa State’s Amanda Nimtz, 6, attempts to move the ball past Baylor defender Rose Zapata, 13, on Sunday, Oct. 21, 2007, at the ISU Soccer Complex. Iowa State beat Baylor 3-1. Photo: Ross LaDue/Iowa State Daily

Leah Hansen

After picking up wins against DePaul and Northern Iowa, the ISU soccer team is hoping to continue the streak this weekend.

The Cyclones travel to South Dakota for a pair of games against the North Dakota State Bison and the South Dakota State Jackrabbits.

“It was nice to win last weekend,” said forward Amanda Nimtz. “It was a start in the right direction and it gave our team a lot of confidence.”

With last weekend’s wins, the team is excited for the upcoming games and is working to build off last weekend.

“We are looking to continue improving, play better, and stay organized,” said coach Wendy Dillinger.

During the week the team worked on splitting up the defense and offense. The offense practiced moving up the field and being in position, even when they don’t have the ball.

“This past week, the girls have been working on improving their play,” Dillinger said. “It would be nice to see another two wins this weekend.”

The Cyclones are slowly getting back to full strength, with several players recovering from preseason injuries. Co-captain Casey Bothwell, who had been out since the preseason, returned to the field for the UNI game last Sunday. She is expected to play in both games.

This will also be Iowa State’s third straight weekend on the road.

“Playing on the road builds character and is always a good experience,” Dillinger said.

Iowa State has had previous success against the Bison and Jackrabbits. The Cyclones defeated NDST in 1996, 3-1 in double overtime, and 2-0, in 2006. Iowa State beat SDST 1-0 in 2005.

Iowa State vs. North Dakota State and South Dakota State in Jackrabbit Invitational

When: NDST, 4:30 p.m. Friday and SDST, 1 p.m. Sunday

Where: Fishback Soccer Park, Brookings, S.D.

Notes: Iowa State enters the weekend aiming to extend their two-game winning streak. After holding UNI scoreless last weekend, goalkeeper Ann Gleason is a shutout away from moving into sole possession of the Cyclone’s all-time shutout record.