Iowa State soccer lost two matches in a row and has not won any of its last three matches.  

Another opportunity to get back in the winning column presents itself Thursday as the Cyclones will travel to Lubbock, Texas, to face Texas Tech. The Red Raiders are coming off a victory against Oklahoma, who beat the Cyclones 3-1 Thursday. 

This game is the second in a three-game road trip for Iowa State, and they are coming off a match where the Cyclones gave up three goals in the final seven minutes of play against Oklahoma.  

“Learn from it,” head coach Matt Fannon said of bouncing back after a defeat. “Go make sure the next game is done right.”

Texas Tech is 5-3-5 overall and 1-1-2 in the conference. Iowa State is 3-5-3 overall and 0-2-1 in conference play. Iowa State is also 1-4-1 on the road this season with their only road victory coming against Michigan over a month ago.  

The Red Raiders have hung their hat on defense this season, as they have only given up 10 goals in 13 matches played. That is good for an average of 0.77 goals per game allowed on defense for Texas Tech.  

Iowa State had trouble finding the back of the net in recent matches. They have not scored more than one goal in a match since Sept. 15 against Omaha — that match also happens to be the team’s last victory.  

“We have a lot of women that are hungry to go, get after it and win,” Fannon said. 

The Texas Tech defense will be a different test than what Oklahoma presented, and that speaks volumes to the variety of competition found in the Big 12 this season. 

Iowa State averages 9.9 shots per game so far this season. That is a number they might have to improve on if they are going to break through the stout Red Raider defense. Texas Tech is limiting its opponents to 8.2 shots per game.  

Iowa State plays Texas Tech at 7 p.m. Thursday in Lubbock, Texas.