At the ISU Soccer Complex on Sunday, the theme of the day was defense.

The defense for the ISU soccer team didn’t give up a goal and allowed only one shot as the Cyclones defeated the University of Northern Iowa Panthers 1-0 for their first victory of the year.

Iowa State improved its overall record to 1-1.

“Everyone played with a lot of integrity and character today,” said junior defender Tiffany Belz. “A lot of people came out of their shells today, and today was the day we needed to do it. (I am) very proud of everyone today.”

Iowa State’s good defensive play helped to support their struggling offense, which converted only one of its 22 shots on Sunday.

“We just need a little more composure in front of the goal,” head coach Stephanie Gabbert said.

“There were some chances that we had that should have been put away and they weren’t.”

The Cyclones’ goal, which was not only the first of the match but the first for the team this season, came with only 13 minutes remaining in the match.

Jill Borcherding scored when she headed in a pass from midfielder Laura Schweer.

Borcherding said getting that first goal out of the way might be a shot in the arm for the offense.

“It was what we needed to get our season started off with a positive note. Now we will go into every game with our heads high,” Borcherding said.

Gabbert said the sluggish Cyclone offense was probably due to early season jitters, and would probably get better when they “get into the swing of things.”

Gabbert said the team has already made an improvement in their play since they opened their season against Illinois on Friday.

In their loss to the Fighting Illini the Cyclone defense allowed six goals while the offense managed only one shot and didn’t score.

Gabbert said the defense played a more solid match against Northern Iowa than it did against Illinois.

“They’re communicating with each other a lot better,” Gabbert said. “They’re trying to play a more patient style of defending, and on Friday they were too impatient.”

The Cyclones are next in action Friday when they travel to Pennsylvania.

They play another road game Sunday at Princeton University in Princeton, N.J.