The stakes are clear for the ISU women’s soccer. The challenges are equally apparent.

Win this weekend against at least one top-15 opponent, and have a fighting chance to make the Big 12 Tournament. Lose, and odds are stacked against a postseason trip to Texas.

The Cyclones (6-11, 2-5 Big 12) need points this weekend and will have to go through two of the nation’s best teams to get them. Iowa State will face eighth-ranked Texas A&M (11-3-1, 7-0 Big 12) on Friday night and No. 14 Texas (12-3-1, 5-1-1 Big 12) on Sunday afternoon.

“I kindof see it as do or die,” said senior midfielder Jess Villhauer. “You need these in order to go on, and I want to go out with a bang. I’m sure everyone else does.”

Iowa State is in ninth place in the Big 12 standings with six points, one point behind Colorado (7 points) and three from Baylor (9 points).

Colorado and Baylor square off against each other on Sunday.

The Cyclones have to crack the top eight to make the tournament and have only the Aggies, Longhorns and the Missouri Tigers left on their schedule.

Conference teams earn three points for a win and one for a tie. Both Baylor and Colorado beat the Cyclones this season and would own the tiebreaker.

If the Cyclones catch up, Iowa State would own the tiebreaker against Nebraska (10 points).

“We have to put everything on the line right now,” said sophomore forward Leslie Hill. “Because if we do and it doesn’t happen, then we tried our best. But if we do and it does happen then we keep ourselves alive another day.”

Texas A&M brings an eight-game winning streak into the weekend.

The Aggies dominated in conference play, outscoring opponents 20-4.

Iowa State managed to win a 1-0 thriller in College Station last year, but Texas beat the Cyclones twice.

Coach Rebecca Hornbacher said that “it doesn’t get any tougher” than facing Texas and Texas A&M on the road.

She thinks that last year’s win against the Aggies helps the Cyclones know that they can pull out a close game.

“It proves to us that we can win on the road against a very strong opponent,” Hornbacher said. “They definitely outplayed us last year, but we kept on going. We defended well and capitalized on the opportunity that we created. And that’s what is going to take, it’s going to take us to still go out them and try to create things and put it in the back of the net.

“They are a very talented team, but I believe that if we play at our best we will definitely be competitive with them.”

The Cyclones are hoping to break a four-game losing streak.

“We know that we have to come out and come together and play strong as a team,” Villhauer said.

“And get some wins to go on. It’ll be fun to see how we do.”