The ISU woman’s soccer team aimed to turn around their recent losing streak with a pair of home games but were unable to find the back of the net, suffering identical 1-0 losses to Big 12 foes Texas and Oklahoma.

“Soccer is a game of inches,” said ISU head coach Tony Minatta after watching his team struggle to score in recent matches.

Over the last few weeks, the Cyclones (6-8, 0-4 Big 12) have always seemed to be a couple of inches off. Against Oklahoma, Hayley Womack’s first half attempt went inches over the the net.

That wasn’t the only chance for the Cyclones; during its games against Texas and Oklahoma, Iowa State had plenty of chances at the net.

“The big piece is just executing our last shot or last pass, the last bit of our attack,” said forward Koree Willer.

The Cyclones have been hanging with Big 12 teams but have been unable to get a win because of a lack of execution once they get scoring opportunities, Willer said.

As a result, Iowa State is now 0-4 in Big 12 conference play.

Both Texas and Oklahoma were able to execute set plays against the Cyclones this weekend. Texas scored on a corner kick Oct. 3 and Oklahoma snuck a 15-yard free kick past the Cyclones’ defense Oct. 5. 

With both games ending in a 1-0 score, the set piece plays were the deciding factor in the games.

“We have to stay focused during those throw-ins, free kicks and corners,” Womack said.

The corrections that the Cyclones need to make are seemingly simple. Defend the opposing team’s set pieces better and finish scoring opportunities when they are presented.

With a 12 day break before the next match, Iowa State will have plenty of time for improvements in both areas of the game.

“We just need to have that confidence in ourselves to put it in the back of the net,” Womack said. “I think in practice we need to make sure we are just being focused and finishing and translate that focus to the game as well.”

The almost two week break will also benefit some of the Cyclones who have been beaten up over the last few weeks of play. Willer, the Cyclone’s leading scorer on the season, only played one minute of the first half after reaggravating a rolled ankle. 

Willer returned to play in the second half but was not at 100 percent. 

“I definitely think recovery for those that need the time will be huge,” Willer said.

Though the Cyclones are 0-4 in Big 12 play, the team is still hopeful that they may be able to get into the Big 12 Conference tournament.

With only four conference games remaining, Iowa State is focused on taking each game one at a time and make a run at getting into the conference tournament.

“There is so much parity in the league right now,” Minatta said. “The separation between the top teams and the bottom teams is a goal … We are just going to take it one game at a time and see if we can get into the tournament because if you get into the tournament you’ve got a chance.”