The Cyclones lost 3-0 to Cincinnati on the road Sunday. Iowa State now sits at 4-9-3 overall and 1-8-1 in the Big 12. For the Bearcats, the win lifts them to 5-7-6 on the year and 3-5-2 in conference.
Iowa State remains winless versus Cincinnati in three matches all-time. The Bearcats lead the series 2-0-1.
Cincinnati torches the defense
The first half was dominated by the Bearcats. They scored three goals and led in shots, shots on goal, saves and corner kicks.
Senior forward Coley Sidloski scored the first goal of the match early in the 15th minute. She was assisted by senior forward/midfielder Megan Smith.
Sophomore forward Rylee Felton tried putting Cincinnati up another score, but her free kick was off target. Determined to find the goal, it did not take long for Felton to find another chance.
20 seconds after Felton’s free kick attempt, she found the back of the net in the 20th minute. Sidloski assisted Felton’s goal.
It would take some time for the next Bearcat goal, but in the 36th minute, the wait was over. It was Sidloski again, scoring her second goal, doing it on her own, unassisted. Sidloski’s goals were her third and fourth of the season.
New chances, but no scores
The Cincinnati defense held firm for the second half. Redshirt senior goalkeeper Camryn Miller was integral to the shutout. Miller notched five saves and a clean sheet, anchoring the goal.
With the opportunities they did have, Iowa State was unable to walk away with a score. In the first half, Iowa State took six shots, and three of them were on goal. By the final whistle, they had 11 shots, with five of them on goal.
The Cyclones also had an increase in corner kicks. From only one corner in the first half to five in the second half, Iowa State could never capitalize on its corner chances.
Bearcats exploit the Cyclones’ mistakes
Cincinnati held control from start to finish. They buried Iowa State with two goals midway through the first half. The third was the nail in the coffin.
The first and second goals were both created in part because of fouls committed by the Cyclones. Keeping the ball on Iowa State’s side of the field, it was just a matter of time for Cincinnati’s pressure to break the dam.
Scoring in bunches has not been a strength of this Iowa State team. Going into halftime down 3-0, the game already looked out of reach.
Looking ahead, Iowa State plays its final game of the season versus Kansas State on the road at 6:30 p.m. Thursday.
