In the 10 years of the ISU women’s soccer program, the Cyclones have never beaten Nebraska.

Then again, it has never had a season quite like this before, either.

With one regular season game left, there is still a lot at stake for Iowa State (10-5-3, 5-3-1 Big 12) in Lincoln on Friday.

The matchup against the Cornhuskers (11-5-1, 5-2-1) won’t determine whether the Cyclones make the Big 12 tournament. It will, however, help their seed in the tournament, as well as greatly improve their chances of making their first-ever NCAA tournament.

Last year, five teams from the Big 12 made the NCAA tournament, and in 2003, eight were selected to the 64-team field. The average record for those teams was 13-5-1.

“It’s nice that the pressure isn’t on us to make the Big 12 tournament,” said senior Amy Flores. “But if we do win this game it gives us better chances to get in the NCAA tournament at a better seed, and maybe a better draw, in the Big 12 tournament.

“The game does mean a lot, but at the same time, we have got to do what we always do – go out there, have fun, and play hard.”

With a win, Iowa State would finish no worse than third in the conference, its best finish ever. If Texas A&M loses to Baylor, the door would still be open for the Cyclones to win the Big 12.

With a loss on Friday, however, they would get no worse than a sixth seed, which would also be the team’s best seed in the tournament.

Iowa State is in a four-way tie for third place in the league standings.

“Right now, we just need to go into Friday and need to be prepared to play a very good Nebraska team on the road,” said coach Rebecca Hornbacher.

History isn’t on their side, but the Cyclones have already defied history this season. Texas A&M had never lost to Iowa State before this season, but the Cyclones upset in College Station earlier in the year.

Nebraska holds a 9-0 series lead over the Cyclones, but goalkeeper Joanna Haig said this isn’t the Iowa State team of the past.

Haig was recognized as the Big 12 Defender of the Week for her efforts in last weekend’s sweep of Oklahoma and Oklahoma State.

“We are definitely a building program right now,” Haig said. “We are consistently getting to a point where we are getting to the [Big 12] tournament, so now it isn’t as big of a deal when we get there. Now, we have to win a game; that’s the attitude our team is going in with.

“We want to rewrite some ISU history books, and we want to make the NCCA tournament. We want to see how long we can take this year out.”

By beating Nebraska, Iowa State would take a big step toward achieving those goals, but beating the Cornhuskers will be no small challenge.

“Nebraska is a very scrappy team. They try to exploit every mistake you make, and they will put pressure on you,” Hornbacher said.

“They are very physical, very fast and have a relentless work ethic. They are going to keep on coming at us.”

Hornbacher said her team will need to match the offensive aggressiveness of the Cornhuskers.

Iowa State already has set school records this season for the most goals ever in conference play (22), nearly doubling its output from last year (13).