As the ISU women’s soccer team looks to extend its winning ways, it may have to battle an opponent much more difficult then North Carolina State on Friday or South Carolina on Sunday.

Hurricane Frances is coming.

However, Frances is expected to hit the South Carolina coast sometime between Sunday night and Monday morning, allowing enough time for Iowa State to return to Ames.

Iowa State (1-1) kicks off against N.C. State (1-0-1) at 6 p.m. Friday in Raleigh, N.C. The Wolfpack recently defeated Howard University 4-0 and in their first two games of the season are averaging 19 shots per game, compared to their opponents’ five.

Cyclone head coach Rebecca Hornbacher said the ISU defense improved from its first game to its second but will still get better.

“We have some experienced players and some younger players on the back line,” Hornbacher said. “We are getting a lot of attacking opportunities from the back too, so we’re seeing a lot of good things from our defense.”

South Carolina (2-1) has shot the ball 38 times in its first three games of the season. That includes 14 shots in a 3-1 victory over Furman.

The Cyclones’ game against Drake on Sunday demonstrated what happens when their offense works.

“The players made their runs [on Sunday],” Hornbacher said. “They showed a lot of tenacity in the box.”

Junior forward Amy Flores said the team needs to play strong to win.

“We are going to play physical,” Flores said. “We just go out on the field and play hard.”

Freshman goalkeeper Jo Haig turned in two solid performances in the net last weekend, recording a total of nine saves and one goal allowed in two games played.

With both of their opponents playing well offensively to start the season, the Cyclones are concentrating on defense.

“We worked on our defensive shape, and I think we got most of it worked out,” Haig said. “I think that we are going to be even better this weekend.”