The Iowa State women’s soccer team faced their toughest weekend of competition so far last weekend, and even though they were defeated in both of their games, they proved that they can play with the best.

Iowa State played host to sixth ranked Texas A&M on Friday and Texas on Sunday.

Friday’s game was played in dismal conditions of wind and 50 degree weather. ISU had their hands full with an Aggie team that was very good.

The Cyclones’ defense had their work cut out for them. Texas A&M took 13 shots on goal in the first half and 14 in the second. The Aggies did not allow one shot by ISU, mostly by keeping the ball in the ISU end of the field.

Despite being out shot 27-0, the ‘Clones only gave up one goal in the first half and two in the second. Cyclone head coach Kathy Klein was impressed with her team’s defensive effort.

“They had our heads spinning, and we only allowed three goals,” Klein said.

Sunday’s game proved to be a much closer one for ISU.

The Cyclones took an early lead when midfielder Lindsey Rector launched a kick from outside the penalty area and right into the Longhorns’ goal.

Texas quickly found the ISU net and tied the score at 1-1 in the first half. The Longhorns took the lead when forward Rachel Safirstein slipped past a defender and knocked a shot past Cyclone goalie Lauren Muser, making the score 2-1.

In the second half, ISU came out more aggressive and looking to get back into the game. The Cyclones kept the ball in Longhorn territory much more than in the first half and took more shots as well.

ISU seemed to be on the right track until a ball was deflected past Muser, who had come out of goal to play defense, and Texas extended their lead to 3-1.

Just when the wind seemed to be taken out of ISU’s sails, Rector nailed a penalty kick into the Texas goal and tightened the score at 3-2.

The Cyclones had a few opportunities to tie the game, but none of the shots found the net.

Klein was pleased with her team’s effort in the game, despite the loss. “What is devastating is that we could have won the game,” Klein said. “The way they played was all that I would have hoped for.”

Klein cited experience as the only ingredient missing. “They had the opportunities, but lacked the experience to finish,” Klein said. “As a coach, I have to accept the mistakes that are due to inexperience.”

Rector believes that the ISU team is starting to gel. “We are starting to play together better,” Rector said.

Klein looked at the weekend as a measure of her team’s progress. “People need to recognize how well we truly played this weekend. Not in terms of win or lose, but by our progress” Klein said.