The Iowa State Cyclones came into Thursday night’s game against the Kansas State Wildcats needing two things to happen in order to qualify for the Big 12 tournament. First, the Cyclones needed a win against the Wildcats. Second, the Cyclones needed Texas Christian University to win against Oklahoma State in Stillwater, Oklahoma.

Kansas State entered Thursday’s game with a record of 4-11-2 (0-8 Big 12), while the Cyclones were 3-13-2 (1-6-1 Big 12) and a full game behind Oklahoma State, who had a record of 10-6-1 (2-5-1 Big 12).

Only the top eight teams in the Big 12 make it to the Big 12 tournament in Kansas City, Missouri.

The Cyclones took care of business and beat the Wildcats 1-0 in Ames.

“We were a little bit tentative at first,” said coach Tony Minatta. “We had some good chances and put one away and got the win; I couldn’t be prouder of the team.”

The Horned Frogs beat Oklahoma State 3-2 which means that the Cyclones grabbed the final spot in the Big 12 tournament and Oklahoma State finished in ninth place in the Big 12.

Kansas State came out in attack mode, as its offense had a few great scoring opportunities but was unable to capitalize on its chances.

As the half went on, the Cyclones created many scoring opportunities, but the Wildcats goalkeeper Emily Malsy had five saves in the first half.

Neither team scored in the first half, and the score was 0-0 at halftime.

The Cyclones went into halftime with a nine to five advantage in shots taken and a five to one advantage in shots on goal.

Senior Klasey Medelberg led the Cyclones with three shots on goal in the first half.

Both teams remained tied at zero until senior Emily Steil scored her third goal of the season in the 73rd minute.

“It feels unreal, this is what you train for,” Steil said.

The Cyclones outshot Kansas State 14 to nine and held the advantage in shots on goal seven to two.

“We had a lot of communication, we had a few switches in our backline,” said senior defender and co-captain Jordan Enga. “Communication was the biggest thing going into today.”

For the Cyclone seniors, winning on senior night was a special moment.

“It’s a bittersweet moment to be here, to play here, and it’s the best feeling in the world to leave her with a win,” said senior midfielder Taylor Wagner.

The Cyclones finish the regular season with a 4-13-2 (2-6-1 Big 12) record and will face the Baylor Bears in the Big 12 tournament on Sunday.

The Bears came away with a 2-1 victory over the Cyclones in Ames. Kickoff time between the Bears and Cyclones has yet to be announced.

Iowa State and Baylor played a close back-and-forth game in the meeting this season, which has the Cyclones hungry for revenge.

“Everyone’s got to rise up, we got to come together as a team, fight, battle and get that dub,” Wagner said.