The ISU women’s soccer team has a winning record and a lot of laundry to do after defeating Mississippi State in a downpour of rain Sunday.

The Cyclones (3-2-2) shut out the Bulldogs 2-0. Mississippi State fell to 4-3-1 on the season.

“It was slippery, but the conditions were the same for both teams. In those conditions, I think you really have to play feet,” ISU head coach Rebecca Hornbacher said.

Hornbacher was pleased with the Cyclones’ efforts.

“The [women] really are starting to be able to click and play off each other a lot better.

“I think the [women] really came out and played a good 90 minutes of soccer today,” Hornbacher said.

Freshman Kate Kirwan was moved from midfielder to forward last Friday, and the move paid off in the 40th minute of the game.

Kirwan raked in her second goal of the season thanks to an assist by sophomore midfielder Deb Benakis.

“Sometimes you’re just in the right spot at the right time, and everything just comes together,” Kirwan said.

Teammate Kristina Baumann said Kirwan brings more speed to the top, and that the move will help the team a lot this season.

“Having Kate up top makes a big difference,” Baumann said.

The Cyclones doubled their score nine minutes into the second half when Baumann put one in from the left side of the goal. Freshman Jess Villhauer tallied her first assist for the Cyclones on Baumann’s goal.

Mississippi State outshot Iowa State 15-11. Leading the Bulldogs with four shots was sophomore Betty Ann Casey.

Despite the rainy conditions, Cyclone goalkeeper Beth Chapman kept eight shots out of the net.

“Chapman did what she had to do to preserve a shutout today. Under very sloppy conditions, it’s very hard when balls are driven on the ground,” Hornbacher said.

Hornbacher added that junior defender Erin Weldon has been consistent all year and the defense is playing very well together.

As the nonconference season winds down, the team is looking ahead to Big 12 Conference action.

“We’re focusing and moving forward, and hoping to take the momentum into the rest of our season,” Hornbacher said.

Baumann said it was important to end nonconference play with a victory.

“It’s definitely a confidence booster. Now we have a winning record going into conference play, so we’re hoping to keep it going,” she said.

The Cyclones are set to open up conference play at 7 p.m. Friday in Lincoln, Neb. against defending Big 12 champion Nebraska.