Expecting to win.

That is the attitude ISU senior Megan DiGiacomo is bringing to Iowa State’s quest for a Big 12 Conference tournament championship as they open up play against No. 2 seed Texas today.

The match is scheduled for a 5 p.m. start at the Blossom Soccer Stadium in San Antonio, Texas.

In their only matchup during the season on Sept. 29, the Longhorns cruised to a 7-0 win.

“It’ll be tougher no matter what. We’re definitely going in there to win,” DiGiacomo said. “We’re not going in there to tie or whatever. Texas is a good team and we really respect them. We’re going to the Big 12 tournament to win. We’re not just going in there to show up.”

DiGiacomo said the Cyclones (7-10-1, 4-6 Big 12) are excited to play Texas in the tournament.

“We didn’t do well last time against them,” she said.

“This gives us the opportunity to show the Big 12 what Iowa State is all about.”

In the Texas win earlier this season, the Longhorns had a 21-3 advantage on shots and had a total of 29 shots against the Cyclones.

Scoring three goals in first 20 minutes, the Longhorns held a commanding 5-0 lead in the first half.

In the opening six minutes of the second half, the Longhorns’ Lauren Field scored two goals. Both teams played physically, as Texas had a 20-16 edge on fouls. ISU freshman Kristina Baumann led the team with five shots.

Beth Chapman was the Cyclones’ goalkeeper in the first half, while teammate Karen Hasselman came in the second half.

ISU interim head coach Rebecca Hornbacher said her team has had more confidence as the season has progressed.

“I definitely think they’ll see a different look from us. We’re going to be ready for them,” she said. “Texas is a very strong team and in my opinion, they’re the strongest in the conference. We’re in for a tough battle, but it’s something that we’re up for.”

ISU senior Tiffany Belz, who is playing in her third Big 12 tournament in four years, is excited to see how every team competes in the tournament.

“Every year going in, who knows what’ll happen. Everyone kind of comes in excited to see how everyone does,” Belz said. “We have to go with the right attitude that we can win this tournament and play like we can and play — like we’re just as good as every other team down there.”

ISU senior Lauren Sims said that the team could of produced a better result in Sunday’s 3-1 loss to Iowa.

“Some things were clicking and some things weren’t. You can’t win everyday. Things go your way some days and things don’t go your way,” Sims said.

“I don’t contribute that to any one thing or any one player. I just think collectively we could have come out and worked a little bit harder and we would have a better result.”

Sims said the team is looking forward for the rematch with Texas.

“We got a lot of stuff to prove to them from the last time we played them,” she said.

“We’re looking forward to playing against a good Texas team.”