AMES — The Cyclones will meet for their final home game of the season Friday against Baylor, after a devastating 4-1 loss against No. 9 TCU.
Iowa State will enter Friday’s match on a three-game losing streak with its most recent loss Sunday against the Horned Frogs.
Although playing a tough defensive game, the Cyclones could not hold TCU’s strong offensive tactics early as they scored in the sixth minute of play by defender Bella Diorio.
The first goal of the game was a wake-up call for the Cyclones as they created a more defensive play of action. However, in the second period, the Horned Frogs throttled three goals against Iowa State.
Cyclones forward Lauren McConnell was able to score Iowa State’s lone goal in the 75th minute of play to put the Cyclones on the board, earning her second goal of the season in the process.
Although the goal gave the team momentum to end the game with a fight, the Cyclones ran out of time and unfortunately ended the match 4-1.
“After TCU’s first goal, we became a little passive, and then it was difficult considering a couple of goals that were made in the second half where we also became a little bit passive,” head coach Matt Fannon said. “But we got out of that and started getting back into the game a little bit and that was something we did really well, we kept fighting.”
The Bears will be welcomed into the Cyclone Sports Complex after falling 2-0 Sunday against Utah. Baylor sits at a 7-7-4 overall record and a 2-5-3 conference record.
Leading the Bears is junior forward Tyler Isgrig, who has a team-high of six goals and seven assists this season. Following closely behind is midfielder Ashley Merrill, who has a secured total of five goals and two assists this season.
As Iowa State prepares for the pressurized matchup against Baylor, the Cyclones are ready to correct their mistakes and put up a fight.
“Baylor is dangerous in their attacking transition phase, and that was the one area TCU just won the game and scored all their goals in,” Fannon said. “So I think that is the area that we need to get right and we need to get our defense right.”
Iowa State is currently 14th in the Big 12 standings with a 1-5-3 conference record and a 3-9-5 overall. With a potential last game of the season, the Cyclones are ready to make up for lost time and perform a winning match.
“In the past few years, it has been really clear that every year we try to take another step forward and making the tournament this year would be another clear step forward,” Fannon said. “Our women have earned the right to be in this position and they have earned the right to be in the next one.”
Iowa State will face Baylor at 6 p.m. Friday from the Cyclone Sports Complex. The game will be live-streamed on ESPN+.
