AMES — Iowa State improved its record to 3-6-4 after a 0-0 contest against Kansas State on Sunday. The result marks the Cyclones’ fourth tie of the season, as head coach Matt Fannon and Iowa State close out the preliminary stages of Big 12 conference play.
Defensive clash blanks both Iowa State and Kansas State
The Cyclones held the Wildcats to only one shot in the first ten minutes of the matchup, the fewest number of shots in the opening minutes by Kansas State this season.
Iowa State held Kansas State to five shots in the first half, one of the better defensive showings to open the game this season. Defender Ella Zimmerman and midfielder Yira Yoggerst both held their own on the back line.
“We weren’t the best in the first half,” Yoggerst said. “We were still dangerous and we created opportunities when it mattered.”
The Cyclones defense protected the backline, shutting down any offensive pressure applied by the Wildcats. Iowa State goalkeeper Avery Gillahan made two saves on five Kansas State shots on goal to close out the opening 45 minutes.
Both teams played a physical matchup in Sunday’s contest. Strong defensive showings from defenders Adelaide Wolfe and Zimmerman erased scoring opportunities for the Wildcats and kept the match scoreless.
“Our goal is to keep attacking and create chances,” Zimmerman said. “Putting the pressure on a team is our goal, especially when they switch off.”
Zimmerman made a crucial save in the 55th minute after a miscommunication on the backline resulted in an open-net opportunity for Kansas State. Her acrobatic extension blocked the Wildcats’ best scoring opportunity of the game from the foot of forward Ryann Reynolds.
“There was a miscommunication in our backline, which happens,” Zimmerman said. “I knew it was right in front of me and I was right on the line, so my goal was to get it out as fast as possible.”
Physical match sets the tone for matchup
Both teams combined for 28 fouls between the two periods. A scuffle between Iowa State midfielder Lauren Hernandez and Kansas State’s Langley Mayers set the tone in the opening minutes of the matchup.
“The Big 12 in general is a physical conference,” Zimmerman said. “Going shoulder to shoulder is part of the game.”
The Cyclones had yellow cards in each of the two halves. Wolfe was called for the first foul in the 43rd minute, followed by defender Isabella Agrusso’s yellow card in the 74th minute.
Iowa State head coach Matt Fannon hopes to use Sunday’s contest as motivation going into the team’s next home matchup against Cincinnati. Early scoring chances against a tough Bearcats defense will play a crucial role in how the Cyclones generate second-half momentum.
“We have to come out firing in the first half,” Fannon said. “As soon as we get to Thursday, you’re going to see a team that’s hungry for 90 minutes.”
Iowa State will be back in action at 6 p.m. Thursday from the Cyclone Sports Complex against the Cincinnati Bearcats in the final matchup of the two-game home stretch. The Cyclones will also be in search of its 200th win as a Division One program.
