The ISU women’s soccer team is beginning to get noticed for its success but still doesn’t want to get caught up in it.

Soccer Buzz magazine ranked the Cyclones (4-2-1 overall) 13th in their Central Regional poll, the highest ranking in the program’s history.

Entering the end of their non-conference schedule, Iowa State is off to its third-best start ever, and has a chance for two more victories this weekend in the Bulldog Bash.

A matchup with Creighton (3-1-2) waits for the Cyclones on Friday at 3 p.m., while host Drake (1-5-0) is on the schedule for Sunday evening at 7 p.m.

Coach Rebecca Hornbacher said she expects two competitive games this weekend, as well as continuous improvement.

“We have to be focused on coming together to put the best game out there on the field that we have,” Hornbacher said. “I don’t want us to have mixed feelings now that we are ranked, that we are someone different. We are the same people that we were before anyone looked at putting us in.

“I don’t think we put much weight in [rankings], and I don’t think we should.”

Soccer Buzz also noticed the efforts of midfielder Renee de St. Aubin, as she was the second ISU player ever to be on the Elite Team of the Week.

St. Aubin, as did her coach, said she is more interested in and focused on the future.

“Awards like that really don’t matter,” St. Aubin said. “I mean it always feels good to get something like that, but in the long run, we are looking at making the NCAA [Tournament] and the Big 12. Things like this don’t matter much; it’s the long run goals.”

The sophomore scored the first three goals of her career – one in each of the Cyclones’ wins last week, two of those were eventual game-winners.

“I think it is great for Renee to get recognized,” Hornbacher said, “She has made an impact in the last three games and has been a really consistent player for us. I’m happy for her.”

St. Aubin said she has been pleased with the way the team has come together.

“We have been playing a lot better together. We are getting a feel of how to work off each other and work together on the field, which helps a lot in soccer,” St. Aubin said. “The defense has been strong which makes everything easier, the offense has been coming around. Once we tie it all together we should be fine.”

Senior Amy Flores said she is looking forward to facing the Creighton Bluejays and the Drake Bulldogs.

“They are two very good teams,” Flores said. “We have some momentum, but we have to keep it going, especially in our two last non-conference games.”