Iowa State tied Kansas State 2-2 in its final game of the season Thursday. The Cyclones came back from a 2-0 deficit in the second half to secure the draw.
The Cyclones leave Manhattan, Kansas at 4-9-4 on the season. Their conference record will finish at 1-8-2. The Wildcats end at 7-6-5 and 2-5-4 in the Big 12. Neither squad will advance to the Big 12 tournament.
The draw wraps up a conference campaign for Iowa State that did not live up to the expectations set before Big 12 play began. After battling No. 11 Iowa to a close loss and dominant wins over North Dakota and UNI to end non-conference play, the stage was set for the Cyclones to carry that momentum through and make some noise in the Big 12.
That looked to hold true after the Cyclones beat Arizona to kick off that portion of their schedule, but since that game Sept.18, they have failed to secure another win.
However, Iowa State has shown heart and the ability to continue to play hard, even when against the odds. It began early in the season with back-to-back games with goals in the final two minutes, first against Creighton to pull ahead and secure a 1-0 lead and then to match Drake in a 1-1 draw.
That resilience showed through Thursday in the match against Kansas State. Despite going down 2-0, the Cyclones showed no quit and battled back to end their season with a draw.
Kansas State pulls ahead in the first half
It was a defensive battle early, with both teams having limited but solid chances. The Wildcats put a shot on goal within the first minute and a half, but redshirt sophomore goaltender Kasey Cannistraro made the save.
After the quick start, the action slowed down. Iowa State had the next shot on goal in the 22nd minute when redshirt junior defender Ella Zimmerman nearly scored off a corner kick, but it was deflected by the Kansas State goalkeeper.
In the 26th minute, Andra Mohler broke through for the Wildcats’ first goal. The 1-0 lead held until the game went to halftime.
In the first half, Iowa State logged three shots on goal and Kansas State put up two.
The Wildcats come out hot in the second half, Iowa State begins to rally
When the action resumed, Kansas State was quick to pounce and had another chance early, like they did in the first half. Cannistraro reached above her head to make another save on a Wildcat shot in the 48th minute.
Zimmerman picked up a yellow card in the 53rd minute and the Wildcats began peppering Iowa State with shots.
Kansas State scored again in the 59th minute to take a 2-0 lead, and the game appeared to be slipping away from the Cyclones.
However, soon after the second goal, sophomore midfielder Morgan Goodman perfectly placed a free kick into the right side of the net to cut the deficit to 2-1. The Cyclones were once again not going down without a fight.
It was Goodman’s fourth goal of the season.
Spitzer completes the comeback and ties it up
As the game neared the final whistle, Iowa State needed another goal. It came in the 77th minute when junior forward Gili Johnson connected with senior forward Taylor Spitzer for a perfectly placed cross right into the box.
Spitzer took a shot which bounced off the bar, into the back of the goalkeeper and into the net. The equalizer was also assisted by senior forward Ella Ciardullo.
It was also Spitzer’s fourth goal of the season, which ties her with Goodman for the leading scorer on the team.
Iowa State had a few more scoring opportunities, but the game ultimately ended in a 2-2 draw.
The tie wraps up the season for the Cyclones.
