After reeling off a five-game winning streak, the Iowa State women’s soccer team ran into a roadblock Wednesday, losing to No. 17 Nebraska 4-2 in the Cyclones’ Big 12 season opener.

Going into the game, head coach Cathy Klein said that the Cyclones would have to execute their game plan successfully to win.

“Nebraska is very talented and a top eight team nationally, so it’s going to require a flawless effort from a very inexperienced team,” Klein said. “This will be a real test for their psyches because they’re going to have to make correct choices for 90 minutes in a pressure filled environment.”

Senior forward Kim Engesser scored three goals, two of which came on penalty kicks, to help lead Nebraska to victory.

Freshman Janelle Beil scored the Cyclones’ first ever goal against the Cornhuskers with a goal in the 64th minute of play.

The Cyclones had been shut out in the previous two years of play against Nebraska, 7-0 last season and 6-0 in 1996.

In the 76th minute, freshman Erica Florez, the reigning Big 12 Player of the Week, scored the Cyclones’ final goal of the game.

There were happier times for the squad last weekend, when the team picked up a pair of wins in Florida.

The Cyclones defeated Nova Southeastern University last Saturday 3-1.

Beil, Florez and fellow freshman Krista Voss provided the scoring punch for the victory.

Klein said she was happy to come away with a win against Nova.

“The reserves, in particular [Krissy] VanDoorn and [Jessica] Willey, played well. I’m satisfied with the win,” Klein said.

The game was originally scheduled to take place on Friday, Sept. 18, but had to be moved to the following day due to inclement weather.

Klein said the change did not effect the team’s play as much as other factors did.

“It’s the nature of Division 1 sports to be ready to play at all times,” Klein said. “It [the scheduling change] didn’t throw us off, but it inconvenienced us. Our mental frame of mind had more of a negative effect on us than anything and our performance was poor, so we used the game as motivation to beat Miami.”

And the Cyclones did defeat Miami 3-1 the following day on the strength of two goals from Florez and a third from sophomore Ali Sullivan.

Freshman goalkeeper Lynley Hilligoss played all 90 minutes and made seven saves for the Cyclones.

“We possessed the ball over a sustained amount of time,” Klein said. “Our defense was solid, goalkeeping sharp and from top to bottom, our people accepted and performed their roles which led to a very important victory.”

After scoring three goals in the two games in Florida, Florez was named Big 12 Player of the Week. She has a total of nine points on the season, ranking her 11th in the conference.

Klein is enthusiastic about Florez and her potential on the squad.

“Erica is our most dangerous player right now,” Klein said. “She has performed better than any freshman I’ve ever come across. She’s created problems for every team we’ve played.”

However, Florez is not the only underclassman making an impact on the field.

“Florez, [Lynley] Hilligoss and [Janelle] Beil are playing surprisingly well for as inexperienced as they are, and [Krista] Odenwald and Sullivan are doing very well, too,” Klein said. “I’m excited that the young ones are getting it done.”

Klein notes that the success of the team would not be possible without key play from the veterans.

“[Alicia] Rollison, [Lindsey] Rector and [Ann] Davy are the cornerstones of this team. They are looking to improve on last year,” Klein said.

Next up for the Cyclones is a pair of games in Texas — against Texas Wesleyan on Friday, Sept. 25 and Texas Christian on Sunday, Sept. 27.

Klein said it will be essential for the Cyclones to maintain consistent play in order to win, among other items.

“This situation is real similar to the Florida weekend,” Klein said. “We have to put a consistent, pass-oriented plan into motion, and people will have to execute their roles. If that happens, we’ll be fine.”