For nine years, ISU women’s soccer teams struggled just to scrape out enough wins to make the Big 12 Tournament

Then, a year ago, it happened – the breakthrough season that put the program on the map. The Cyclones finished in a tie for second place in the Big 12, earning their first-ever NCAA Tournament berth.

This year’s team will deal with the elevated expectations that come with success. The challenge starts again this Sunday, as Iowa State hosts its Big 12 opener against Nebraska (5-1-2). Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. at the ISU Soccer Complex.

“[The past] gives our freshmen something to look forward to,” said junior forward Brittanie Waddell. “They have high expectations for us, because they weren’t there last year. The people that are coming back, we know how hard it is to get back and how hard it is to win.”

Finishing the nonconference schedule at 4-6, the Cyclones have some work to do.

They have already lost as many games already as they did last season, and to make the NCAA Tournament, coach Rebecca Hornbacher said her team will need another good showing in the Big 12.

In what she calls “one of the most competitive conferences in country,” Hornbacher would agree it’s easier said than done.

Three Big 12 schools are ranked in the top 30 – Texas A&M, 12th; Colorado, 15th and Missouri, 17th.

“I really feel that any team can win on any given day in our conference,” Hornbacher said. “It’s such a battle . The girls have set higher expectations. We have to set higher expectations for our program. We proved that we could finish higher than eighth or ninth, as we had the past few years.

“Right now, we strive to win every game in the conference, but if we show well in most our games and get wins, I think we’ll put ourselves in a good situation.”

The first step towards fulfilling any postseason aspirations would be a win against Nebraska. Iowa State upset then-No. 22 Nebraska, 2-0, in Lincoln, Neb. last year.

Freshman goalkeeper Ann Gleason and the Cyclones will have to contend with two-time Big 12 player of the year Brittany Timko. The senior forward scored three goals in less than five minutes in her last trip to Ames, but was shut down in the teams’ last meeting.

“Brittney Timko is amazing. She lit us up two years ago,” Hornbacher said. “They have a lot of team speed, and they are extremely physical. That’s a team trademark of Nebraska soccer.”

Timko was a starter for the Canadian women’s World Cup team in 2003. Hornbacher also singled out midfielder Selenia Iacchelli and goalkeeper Jamie Klages as the Cornhuskers top players.

“We’re going to have to continue to attack and create some opportunities and challenge their backline,” Hornbacher said. “We are going to have to continue to put pressure on them, and we are looking for a lot of players to do that.

“At the same time our backline is going to have to play as they were [Wednesday] and even better. Our clearances still need to be improve.”

Hornbacher earned her first victory in four tries against the Cornhuskers last season.

She was a two-time all-Big 12 goalkeeper as a player for Nebraska, where she graduated in 1997.

“It was great to beat them last year, and we are planning on doing the same thing at home this year,” Hornbacher said.