Iowa State soccer comes into another weekend that could be crucial given its current situation.

The Cyclones battle No. 13 Texas on Friday at 2 p.m. and No. 24 Baylor on Sunday at 1 p.m. The games will both take place in Ames.

“We’re [going to] have to stay disciplined,” said Shealyn Sullivan, sophomore defender, about the first game of the weekend.

Discipline is a word that’s used quite often when talking to defenders for the Cyclones, especially during the Big 12 season.

Sullivan’s minutes have been increasing as the season wears on. In part, due to the lack of depth for Iowa State, but she has played a big role in a defense that has had to deal with a lot of pressure this season.

This weekend will need more than defensive prowess though. Iowa State hasn’t been shooting the ball seemingly at all throughout each game in the Big 12, and now they face the best two teams in the conference.

“They have really quality forwards,” said coach Tony Minatta about Texas.

Texas forward Cyera Hintzen leads the Big 12 in goals by a large margin, and Texas midfielder Katie Glenn is tied for first in the Big 12 in assists.

Texas has a high scoring attack that the Cyclones will hope to stop using their 4-4-2 formation, which hasn’t seen incredible success so far.

Minatta mentioned the Cyclones needing to win their opportunities and take advantage when they are given the chance. This can be seen in the game against TCU, where the Cyclones had 28 less shots than their opponent but the game still ended in a draw.

“They go at people,” Minatta said about Baylor. “The last three games we’ve played with them have gone to overtime.”

Baylor has a bit of a different look this year, and four different players have tallied four goals this year for the Bears. They also have the most goals of any team in the conference, while Iowa State has allowed the most goals in the conference.

Sophomore goalkeeper for Baylor, Jennifer Wandt, has tallied the third highest save percentage in the Big 12, so they have a nice combination of defense and offense.

With all this in mind, the Sunday matchup with Baylor will be a difficult matchup for the Cyclones.

Baylor and Texas have had trouble winning road games and they will be on the road this weekend, and the Cyclones are getting a couple contributors back soon in junior midfielder Hannah Cade and freshman midfielder Megan Etrheim.

Sophomore goalkeeper Dayja Schwichtenberg knows they have a tough matchup.

“They blast some shots,” Schwichtenberg said. “We can definitely break them down on their defense.”

Schwichtenberg has made 68 saves this season to this point which is second in the Big 12.

The Cyclones have a tough time stopping shots on goal and it’s evident with all the shots Schwichtenberg has had to face.

With two teams that shoot the ball like crazy and are known for their offense, it doesn’t look like a favorable matchup for the Cyclones, but they are ready regardless.

“Two similar styles,” Minatta said about the matchups. “We’ll have opportunities.”