The ISU soccer team dropped a thriller to the No. 2 Texas A&M Aggies in a shoot-out in the first round of the Big 12 Tournament in San Antonio on Wednesday.

The Cyclones were defeated in penalty kicks 8-7 after playing the top-seeded Aggies to a 1-1 deadlock in regulation and through two overtimes.

“We have shown that we can play with any team in the country,” coach Rebecca Hornbacher said. “We knew we were in for a battle, but we believed we would win from the minute the game started.”

Cyclone keeper Ann Gleason made a career-high 12 saves in the game. The Aggies scored first but the Cyclones’ Amanda Nimtz answered back in the 84th minute to send the game into overtime. In overtime the Cyclones controlled the tempo and had several opportunities to score but could not capitalize.

The Cyclones will hope to get an at-large bid in the NCAA Tournament, having had several quality wins the season. Nonetheless, the Cyclones are excited for next year.

“We have a lot to build on for the future,” Hornbacher said. “Our seniors have contributed a lot to put the foundation for a team that can compete with anyone in the country.”

&#8212 Brian Guillaume