Sunday’s loss to Baylor illustrated a point to the ISU women’s soccer team: Ratings and records don’t buy wins in the Big 12.

Last Friday, however, the Cyclones (8-4-3, 3-2-1 Big 12) proved the other side of that point, upsetting preseason conference favorites Texas A&M, which was ranked 18th at the time.

Friday’s home game against conference-power Texas (6-6-1, 3-3-0), will provide Iowa State with another stiff test, but something even bigger is on the line – for the first time in the program’s 10-year history, the Cyclones are in a tie for first in the Big 12 with four games to play.

“We are in control of our own destiny,” said Stephanie Kaphingst, the hero of last weekend’s win over the Aggies.

The sophomore forward and midfielder scored with 12 seconds left in the game to break a scoreless tie, giving the team what coach Rebecca Hornbacher called “the biggest win in the program’s history.”

The subsequent loss to Baylor helped bring Iowa State back to earth, but the Cyclones still remain in a four-way tie with Oklahoma, Nebraska and Kansas for the conference lead.

But much is left to be decided before November’s Big 12 tournament.

Texas is part of a three-team pack just one point out of the league lead, and Missouri trails by just two points, rounding out the top eight.

“[The lead] is exciting, but we still have four very hard games left,” said sophomore goalkeeper Joanna Haig. “We can’t be complacent; we can go from first to last in a matter of the next two weeks. Every game is big. Texas is definitely one of the best teams in the conference.”

After losing their first two Big 12 games, the Longhorns picked up steam, winning three of their last four games, including a 6-0 demolition of Texas Tech.

Scoreless at halftime, Texas rang up all six goals in a 25-minute span, outshooting the Red Raiders, 39-5. The Longhorns’ explosiveness comes with the help of forwards Kelsey Carpentar and Caitlin Kennedy, who both made the pre-season all-conference team.

“They are extremely athletic,” said Hornbacher. “They have many fast, talented players. They have been playing very well and no doubt will look to attack us and create a lot of scoring opportunities.”

Texas leads the conference in shots with 129 (21.5 pg), compared to the Cyclones total of 56 (9.3 pg).

Iowa State, however, has taken advantage of the chances it has had, and leads the Big 12 in goals (12) during conference play thanks in part to senior forward Amy Flores, who leads the conference in goals scored with five in six games.

Texas is right behind the Cyclones with 11 scores.

The final stretch for the Cyclones will be played mainly on their home field with three of their last four games in Ames.

“We play in this environment every day, on this turf, on this grass, in this weather,” Hornbacher said. “And to have our fans right with us will be huge.”

Iowa State is 4-1-1 at home this season. Kickoff against the Longhorns is set for 7 p.m.