The Iowa State women’s soccer team suffered two losses last weekend that have left them with a huge challenge to make the Big 12 Conference Championship.

The Cyclones have to win all four of their remaining games in order to obtain a berth in the championship tournament.

ISU lost to Oklahoma State in Sunday’s contest by the score of 2-0, and fell to Colorado by the identical score.

On Sunday, ISU needed a win to lessen the pressure of getting into the championship tournament. The game was another close one through the first half, despite an OSU goal with 21:18 left in the first half. The goal came on a rebound of a deflection by Cyclone goalie Hayley Mercer.

ISU came out in the second half looking refreshed and intense. Immediately the Cyclones started to put pressure on the OSU defense. With less than two minutes remaining, OSU collected their second goal and put the final nail in the Cyclone’s coffin.

ISU Head Coach Kathy Klein was disappointed with both losses. “[OSU] saw this game as an entrance to the conference championship, and so did we,” Klein said.

Friday’s game was a close one through the first half, but the Buffaloes tallied two goals in the second half to shut out the Cyclones, 2-0. Colorado’s first goal came on a penalty shot, and the second with only seventeen seconds left. ISU was outshot 16-6, and did not take one corner kick the entire game.

Klein considered inexperience to be a factor in the weekend losses. “Our personality players are making poor decisions under pressure, because they are young and inexperienced,” Klein said.

Sunday’s game did mark the return of Cyclone forward Jocelyn Nordstrom, after an ankle injury. “She is the heart and soul of this team,” Klein said.

Klein gauged Nordstrom’s health at about 60 percent.

“We are looking forward to implementing her in our practice plans,” said Klein.

This was the final home game of the season and Klein took time to show appreciation to the Cyclone fans.

“Fan support has been good,” Klein said. “We enjoy playing at home, particularly in times of struggle.”

The Cyclones will face Kansas next, and then three other conference opponents over the next two weeks.