After a loss in their conference opener to Nebraska, the Iowa State women’s soccer team headed to Texas this past weekend for a pair of games to complete its non-conference schedule.

The squad began the trip with a victory Saturday over Texas Wesleyan University, 4-1.

With assists from sophomore Ali Sullivan and junior Lindsey Rector, freshman Jenelle Brandt put the Cyclones on the board first with a goal in the first half.

Jennifer Bowmer of Texas Wesleyan scored a late first half goal to tie the score at 1-1 at halftime.

The Cyclones lit up the scoreboard in the second half, scoring three goals in a five minute span to win the game.

Freshman Erica Florez scored from an assist by Brandt. That goal was followed by a goal from Rector, with an assist from freshman Janelle Beil. Beil finished the game with a goal off an assist from Florez.

Head coach Cathy Klein said she was pleased with the win but disappointed in her team’s decision making.

“The score would indicate that we dominated, but the reality is that it was a struggle,” she said. “Our possession of the ball was much improved and our heart and desire were good, but our decisions in the attacking third of the field needed tremendous improvement.”

The following day, the Cyclones hit the field for a game with TCU. Florez gave the Cyclones an early lead, scoring a goal off an assist from sophomore Krista Odenwald on the Cyclones’ first shot of the game.

From there, the Horned Frogs took control of the game, scoring two goals in the first half to take a 2-1 lead.

The Horned Frogs and Cyclones would stay scoreless in the second half of the game, giving TCU the 2-1 victory.

“In the 95 degree heat, we did not choose to make the sacrifices necessary to win that game,” Klein said. “We learned a lesson that it’s going to take a special amount of intensity and effort to be good. The team made a mistake in thinking that they had arrived with the Nebraska game. We took a giant step backward this weekend.”

Despite her concerns for the team, Klein said that the mistakes made during the trip to Texas can be corrected.

“If we have a solid week of practice, a rejuvenated commitment to excellence and straight out hard work, we’ll be ready on Friday.”

The Cyclones finished the nonconference schedule with a 5-2-1 record, 5-3-1 overall, counting the September 23 conference loss to Nebraska.

Coming out of nonconference play, Klein said that the team is playing effectively but must maintain focus on its conference foes to succeed in conference play.

“We’re playing with more confidence, our possession (of the ball) is improving and our understanding of a high level of play is improved, so it’s a good time for the conference schedule to start,” Klein said. “There must be no letdowns now, because all the teams in the Big 12 are capable of beating you. Resting on past accomplishments will lose games, so we have to raise our standard of play if we want to compete in the Big 12.”

This Friday, October 2, the Cyclones begin a three-game homestand against Big 12 opposition. First up for the Cyclones is a 4 p.m. game against Texas.

“We are going to have to work harder, develop a ‘never say die’ attitude, execute in the attacking third and believe that we can win, because Texas is excellent,” Klein said.