DES MOINES — The Iowa State women’s soccer team entered Thursday night unbeaten and had yet to surrender a goal this season, but Drake quickly changed both storylines as the Bulldogs handed the Cyclones their first loss of the year, 2-0, on August 20, 2026, at Mediacom Stadium.
The defeat dropped Iowa State to 2-1 on the young soccer season, while Drake improved to 1-2.
The Cyclones came to Des Moines after Goodman powered Iowa State soccer to a 4-0 Senior Night shutout in its previous match, giving ISU back-to-back victories and clean sheets to begin the season.
Drake, meanwhile, entered Thursday’s soccer match without having scored a goal in its first two games.
That changed almost immediately.
Angela Gutierrez struck in the eighth minute, taking a feed from Claire Emmerich and putting a right-footed shot into the net for Drake’s first goal of the season.
It was also the first goal Iowa State had surrendered through its opening three matches.
The Bulldogs continued applying pressure as the first half unfolded.
Drake doubled its advantage at the 37:07 mark when Alexa Aylward collected a loose ball in front of the net and slipped it past Iowa State goalkeeper Eme McClenahan for a 2-0 lead.
The goal was Aylward’s first of the season.
Iowa State did not record its first shot until the 42nd minute, when Mia Sowders put an attempt on goal that Drake goalkeeper Addie Ford turned away.
The Bulldogs carried a 5-1 advantage in shots and a 2-0 lead into halftime.
Iowa State came out more aggressively after the break.
Izzy Kapanke produced an early second-half attempt that Ford saved, and the Cyclones began generating more pressure and opportunities from set pieces.
Drake’s defense refused to crack.
Iowa State generated its final three shots during the last 15 minutes, putting two of them on target, but Ford stopped both as the Bulldogs preserved the shutout.
Drake finished with an 8-5 advantage in total shots, although Iowa State put four of its five attempts on goal compared to just two of Drake’s eight.
Both Bulldog shots on goal, however, found the net.
Ford made four saves to earn her first clean sheet of the season, while McClenahan surrendered the first two goals of her collegiate career.
Iowa State held a 6-5 edge in corner kicks.
Five Cyclones recorded shots in the match, while Maia Soulis, Danica Lunceford and Erin Hopewell each played the full 90 minutes on a steamy night in Des Moines.
For Drake, Gutierrez and Aylward supplied the goals, while Emmerich, Izzy Snowden and Zoey Mahoney were credited with assists.
The Cyclones now return to Ames for the beginning of a four-game homestand.
Iowa State women’s soccer will host Creighton on Sunday, August 23, at the Cyclone Sports Complex. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m.
Admission is free, and the match will be streamed live on ESPN+.