A seemingly uneventful possession turned into a key Texas score, and the ISU women’s soccer team’s comeback attempts were unsuccessful, falling 2-1 Friday night.

Caitlin Kennedy scored a deflating goal with just 15 seconds left in the first half for the Longhorns (7-6-1, 4-3-0 Big 12), breaking a scoreless deadlock with the Cyclones (8-5-3, 3-3-1).

After Texas scored early in the second half, senior Amy Flores scored to put the game back in reach, but Iowa State was repeatedly denied in its attempts to tie it up.

“We know we can compete with anyone,” said ISU Coach Rebecca Hornbacher’s. “It is just a matter of finding the back of the net and winning games.

“There has got to be a winner and a loser, but we lost today. Every time we come into a game, we expect to win.”

The setback dropped the Cyclones out of the conference lead and into the middle of the points battle to make the Big 12 tournament.

Nine teams are currently contesting for the eight tournament spots.

“We came out and played really hard,” Flores said. “We made a mistakes, and they capitalized on them. That’s what happens. I mean we played them, especially in the second half.

“Texas is a great team, great competition; I can’t give them enough credit. But sometimes it just doesn’t work out. It was a tough loss.”

Kennedy, the Longhorn’s leading scorer, snuck a slow-rolling shot past sophomore Joanna Haig. It was the 14th shot of the half for Texas – who outshot the Cyclones 14-3 in the first half – but was one of only a few good looks that Iowa State gave up.

Texas’ Ashley Foster started the game by missing a breakaway shot wide right, but got redemption in the second half when she rocketed a long-range shot into the top of the goal.

Flores later scored off a cross from sophomore Erin Witte close to the goal.

It was the eighth goal of the season for Flores, who scored in six of her last seven games of the season.

“It was a great comeback goal; she really wanted it,” said teammate and fellow senior Kristina Baumann.

“It was a back and forth game all the way. We missed chances here and there, but we stuck with it the whole time. It just didn’t fall our way.”

For the game, the Longhorns outshot the Cyclones, 22-13.

Iowa State’s best chance to tie was a jumping save by Texas’ Dianna Pfenninger. The goalie was able to tip a line-drive shot by Witte above the crossbar.

The Cyclones host Oklahoma State and Oklahoma next weekend before facing Nebraska in their last match of the season. All three opponents are in the conference chase.