After weeks of practice, the ISU women’s soccer team is ready to explore the promise of its season this weekend in Mississippi.

The Cyclones open on the road Friday against Mississippi State, then play Mississippi on Sunday. Forward Kristina Baumann, one of three seniors and seven returning starters, said the team is eager to get on the field.

“We are really anxious,” Baumann said. “Practice is practice. You get tired of practicing and ready for that game. We have a big weekend.”

Iowa State posted an 8-12 record last year — the most wins since 1999 for the Cyclones — and earned a trip to the Big 12 Tournament even though the team was outscored 29-25 by its opponents and shut out seven times.

The Cyclones’ pair of games this weekend are two of nine non-conference games this season, and their first home game is next Friday against Purdue.

Both the Lady Bulldogs and the Rebels should be a good match for Iowa State. Mississippi State compiled a record of 9-9-3 last year, while Mississippi went 9-10-2, missing the NCAA Tournament after two consecutive berths. The Lady Bulldogs return six starters, while Ole Miss brings back eight.

Coach Rebecca Hornbacher, in her fourth season at the helm, is more worried about her team’s performance than her opponent’s.

“It’s early in the year right now, but we know both teams are quality teams,” she said.

“We are prepared for some of their top returning players, but right know we are focused on what we are trying to do and making sure we put together our formations and style of play we want to bring.”

Hornbacher said she likes what she has seen from her squad in practice.

“Preseason is an indication of where the season is going, and we had a great preseason,” she said. “The team has done a lot of great things, especially in the past week. We have put things together in our attack and defensively.

“For us as a coaching staff, we have seen good combinations of different players.”

Baumann, fellow senior Amy Flores and sophomore Stephanie Kaphingst each return after scoring a team-best four goals each last year.

Junior Kate Kirwan, sophomores Brittanie Waddell and Erin Witte all scored three times.

Sophomore goalkeeper Joanna Haig had 63 saves in 19 games last year, and was voted to the preseason all-conference team.

“We have a good mix of players that are going to get a lot of playing time,” Hornbacher said. “We have more depth than in the past.”

A road trip isn’t an ideal way to start the season, but Baumann said she still wants to make the most her time down south.

“It is always rough right away, the first week of class,” Baumann said.

“You go from two weeks of just soccer to soccer and class and now missing class. But hopefully we will get two wins.”