Iowa State returns home after an away game loss to now-No. 7 Memphis to face the University of Michigan on Thursday.

The Cyclones lost 4-2 in a long offensive battle against the Tigers. Iowa State head coach Matt Fannon is hoping it will build confidence within his players for the upcoming game.

“I think knowing we can go toe-to-toe with top ten teams in one of the most hostile environments in the country is something I think filled our women with a lot of belief, so we are excited to move forward from it,” Fannon said.

Although leaving the game with high optimism for this upcoming season, the Cyclones are aware of their mistakes from the matchup and hope to not fall to their weaknesses.

“We need to be adaptable, we need to find different ways to beat different opponents and show them different things that we do,” Fannon said.

During the second half of the game against Memphis, redshirt senior Hannah Shaw was substituted out during the 17th minute due to an injury. With Shaw just getting back to playing again after her four-year injury, the loss of another player is going to hurt the team but Fannon is confident in his players to further prove themselves this season.

“One of the biggest things you can do with the squad is make sure everyone’s ready because at any given day someone else is going to have to step up,” Fannon said. “I think we have the pieces that are needed to hopefully fill some of those parts that are missing.”

The Cyclones are going up against the Wolverines for the third time in program history Thursday, with both teams each winning one game previously. In the 2023 game against Michigan, Iowa State took home a 3-2 win using its impressive defensive skills against the Wolverine’s tough shots.

The matchup between these two teams will take place at 6 p.m. Thursday at the Cyclones Sports Complex.