The ISU women’s soccer team hopes to have a happy homecoming this weekend while hosting the Nike Invitational Tournament. The Cyclones have matches against the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee on Friday and Youngstown State on Sunday. These are the last nonconference games for the Cyclones until they play Iowa in late October.

Iowa State (1-5) has lost its last four games, all on the road. The Panthers (1-5-2) are winless in their last six games this season. The two teams have only met once before, with Wisconsin-Milwaukee winning 4-1 in 1996.

“Our focus for this weekend is to eliminate the mental mistakes we have made,” head coach Rebecca Hornbacher said. “We need to deal with different situations that come about in a game with more composure.”

The Cyclones were inconsistent while losing to California-Santa Barbara last Sunday, playing well throughout the majority of the game, but giving up two goals in eight minutes.

Hornbacher said the Cyclones need to continue to attack the net by taking more shots once the ball is upfield. They’ve had many opportunities in past games but have not shot the ball.

Iowa State hopes to eliminate Wisconsin-Milwaukee’s attack.

“They’re organized,” Hornbacher said. “They have good athleticism.”

On the defensive end of the field, the Cyclones have had strong performances by two of its goalies. Freshman Jo Haig currently owns a 1.35 goals against average and the team’s lone win. Redshirt freshman Laura Boyer has also displayed strength in net, making nine saves against California-Santa Barbara.

Overall, Cyclone goalies have only allowed nine goals in six games, even though Iowa State has been outshot 84-44 by its opponents.

“We are under attack all the time,” Boyer said. “We need to possess the ball more through the middle.”

ISU players said they hoped that being home will allow them to focus on their play without the added fatigue of traveling.

“It’s going to be a good game this weekend with everyone well-rested,” said freshman forward Stephanie Kaphingst. “We’re really excited just to stay home for the weekend.”

This is one of the most important weekends of the season, Kaphingst said. The team wants to pick up two wins this weekend, she said, in an effort to build momentum for upcoming conference play. Three Big 12 squads are ranked: Texas, Texas A&M and Kansas.

“We have a lot to play for,” Hornbacher said. “We want to get this season back on the right track.”

The Cyclones kick off at 7:30 p.m. Friday and at 2:30 p.m. Sunday.