Changes are likely coming for the ISU soccer team after a disappointing start to Big 12 play.

The Cyclones are 0-4 in conference play and have been outscored 13-0 in those four games. After a promising 1-0 loss to Baylor in which ISU coach Tony Minatta thought his team played well, the Cyclones took a step back by falling to Kansas 4-0 at home.

“It’s disappointing,” Minatta said. “I thought we hard-turned the corner on Friday [against Baylor], we played really well and played a great game and then today we didn’t.”

The Cyclones allowed two goals in the first half and two more in the second half, while the ISU offense was unable to getting anything going.

Minatta said changes are on the horizon after the disappointing performance. 

“Back to the drawing board and when we go into Tuesday practice it will be open competition for starting spots again and we’ll put the players out there that can give us the best chance,” Minatta said.

Bright spots have been few and far between for the Cyclones in the last four games, which featured losses of 5-0, 3-0, 1-0 and 4-0. Minatta, however, sees promise in some of his younger players.

He said he will look to them to help get the team back on track going forward.

“We got a lot of play out of our younger players and we’re going to move forward with them,” Minatta said. “They’re definitely showing a lot of competitiveness on the field, a lot of drive and a lot of heart, so we’re going to move forward with those players.”

It is likely that some younger players will get an opportunity with Minatta reevaluating starting positions this week. The team needs consistent effort across the board, something it hasn’t had in recent weeks. 

“We didn’t get consistent effort or performance out of every player,” Minatta said.

Minatta isn’t alone in that thinking. Sophomore defender Sasha Stinson also said inconsistent effort on the team seems to be an issue.

“I think people just aren’t on the same page and that holds us back a lot,” Stinson said. “Not everybody is working as hard as others and it really brings us down and it shows on the field.”

As the final minutes ticked away, and the Cyclones were down by four goals, the ISU fans roared in appreciation of Stinson’s continued effort whenever she would touch the ball.

Stinson’s effort never waivered, despite her playing all 90 minutes of the game, but her energy was not equaled by all her teammates in the final minutes.

“Everybody needs to give 100 percent and have the right mentality and mindset and I think that will start to show in games,” Stinson said.

Minatta was in agreement on that sentiment and will be looking to shake up the starting lineup this week in hopes of finding some sort of spark.

“As a coaching staff, we need to make sure we’re putting the starting 11 on the field that’s going to start strong and want to be out there and work hard and give us the best chance,” Minatta said.