AMES — Iowa State recorded its second straight clean sheet Thursday against Cincinnati, holding the Bearcats to a score of 0-0. The Cyclones collect their fifth draw of the season and their third straight draw in conference play, adding one point to their standings.
Injuries plague Cyclones
Both teams came out playing physically in the second half of the matchup. Iowa State’s Lauren McConnell, Adelaide Wolfe, Morgan Furmaniak and Yira Yoggerst were all subbed out of the game due to injuries. McConnell, Yoggerst and Wolfe exited the matchup and did not return.
Cincinnati saw an injury in the 52nd minute to Faith Broering. She also failed to return after an intense collision took place near midfield.
“It’s tough,” Iowa State head coach Matt Fannon said. “We’re already in a space where we’ve got six players out for the season and players that we’re patching up to make it through the end of conference play.”
Missed opportunities lead to third straight 0-0 draw
Iowa State came out slow in the first half, a trend that has haunted them in Big 12 conference play. Only two shots were taken by the Cyclones, one on goal by Furmaniak and the other by McConnell.
“I think we came out slowly,” Fannon said. “We ended up chasing into the game a bit, but we still created chances.”
Iowa State missed two crucial scoring opportunities. Midfielder Seulgi Lee found the back of the net but was ruled offside. Furmaniak attempted a penalty kick in the 52nd minute that was eventually blocked by Cincinnati goalkeeper Anna Rexford.
“As a team, we talk about not letting those moments deflate you,” Furmaniak said. “You have to reflect on those moments and use them as motivation to create other opportunities.
Cincinnati ended the matchup with sixteen shots and five shots on goal. Many of its scoring opportunities came in the first half but later became limited as the Cyclones shifted the momentum.
“We defend as eleven, but we also attack as eleven,” Furmaniak said. “We moved as a unit and adopted a stronger attacking mindset.”
Second-half possession was as even as it gets between the two teams. Iowa State generated six shots in the closing 45 minutes but failed to land any shots on goal. The Bearcats struggled to adjust to the pressure on the front foot, allowing the Cyclones to take advantage later in the matchup.
Iowa State will fly to Lubbock, Texas, to take on No. 24 Texas Tech in what would be the Cyclones first win against a ranked opponent this season. A road victory would also mark win number 200 as a program for Iowa State soccer.
The matchup with Texas Tech will take place at 1 p.m. Oct. 13. It will be streamed live on ESPN+.
