The ISU women’s soccer team will attempt to win its third straight game as it opens conference play at home Friday against Colorado.

The Cyclones remain at home Sunday, with an afternoon game against Nebraska.

Iowa State (3-5) currently owns a three-game home winning streak, including two wins last weekend.

Colorado (6-1-1) has won five straight games, most recently a 3-0 win over Denver University. The Buffaloes have outscored opponents 14-2 since Sept. 4.

Iowa State recorded 25 shots in its win last Sunday, which is the most since 2000 when they recorded 32 against University of Alabama at Birmingham.

“[Both teams] don’t just have one good player — they have many good players that can contribute to the attack,” ISU head coach Rebecca Hornbacher said.

Iowa State is continuing to maintain its one-game-at-a-time mentality.

“We are purely focused on Colorado right now,” Hornbacher said. “Nebraska is not a more important game to me than Colorado, or any other team.”

Hornbacher played for Nebraska when it won the Big 12 in 1996.

Iowa State was picked to finish ninth in the Big 12 preseason polls, which is a number that motivates them to put up big numbers in its first weekend of tournament play.

“[The players] don’t feel like they have to prove anything to the other coaches,” Hornbacher said.

The Cyclones do not have an easy conference opener, as Colorado is the defending Big 12 regular season champs. The players said they feel comfortable with being an underdog because the talent they face urges them to challenge their opponents.

Freshman Erin Witte said when they face a difficult opponent, the Cyclones play even harder.

“It pushes us,” Witte said. “We have so much talent on the team, and we’re just ready to show it.”

Defensively, Iowa State said they hope to carry over Sunday’s shutout of Youngstown State into this week’s conference play.

“Our defense did a really good job on Sunday,” said goalie Jo Haig. “We need to stay organized in the back, and talk a lot about what’s going on.”

However, with opponents coming up that shoot the ball often, Iowa State needs to challenge the opposition’s defense.

“We need to go just as hard at them as they do at us,” Haig said. “We all need to work together and stay strong as a unit.”

Iowa State kicks off at 7 p.m. Friday against Colorado, followed by a 1 p.m. Sunday match against Nebraska.