An early goal and a home win was just what the ISU soccer team needed to finish the nonconference season.

The Cyclones (4-7 overall) got exactly what they were looking for Wednesday night, shutting out North Dakota State, 2-0, to earn their first victory in Ames this season.

Brittanie Waddell scored in the ninth minute, and Iowa State controlled the run of play from there on out. An insurance goal midway through the second half secured the victory, sending the Cyclones into Sunday’s Big 12 opener with much-needed momentum.

The game broke a three-game losing streak that included two 1-0 losses.

“We really needed that for their confidence,” said coach Rebecca Hornbacher. “It’s been an up and down season. We lost three, we won three, we lost three – hopefully we can start another win streak . It was good to get this down.”

Defender Beth Passman said the win was big for the team’s psyche.

“I think this was really important,” she said. “We’ve lost some games that we should’ve won. Just going into conference with another win under our belts is really going to help us . It’s good to see us playing to our potential.”

Forward Leslie Hill took a long throw-in from Erin Witte and dribbled up the left side of the field. She took on her defender and moved up the endline, crossing the ball to Elise Reid on the short side of the box. Reid’s shot was blocked, but Waddell poked the deflection into the corner of the net. Hill and Reid each got credited with an assist. Waddell scored her team-leading fourth goal of the season.

“I was there at the right time in the right place. The goalkeeper mishandled the ball,” Waddell said. “Hill did all the work.”

In the 67th minute, freshman Lauren Odino set up herself up on the top right corner of the box then lobbed a shot over goalkeeper Monica Morgan into the left side of the goal.

It was her second score in the past three games.

The Cyclones outshot the Bison (3-3-1), 17-10. Only four North Dakota State shots were on goal.

“We’ve had some things that haven’t gone our way this season defensively. It’s nice for everyone to work hard – the forwards, the midfielders, the defenders and definitely [goalkeeper] Ann [Gleason] – and get the shutout,” Passman said.