AMES — The Iowa Hawkeyes seized control early and never let Iowa State breathe Thursday night, rolling to a 2-0 Cy-Hawk victory at the Cyclone Sports Complex.
Iowa dominated nearly every phase of the rivalry match, piling up a staggering 26-2 advantage in shots while holding the Cyclones without a single attempt during the second half.
The Hawkeyes improved to 4-1 with their fourth consecutive victory over Iowa State and their ninth win in the last 11 meetings between the two programs.
Iowa State fell to 2-2-1.
The Hawkeyes wasted little time drawing first blood.
Iowa pressured the Cyclones immediately, earning two corner kicks during the opening minute and pushing several early shots toward the Iowa State goal.
That pressure paid off when Cyclone defender Maia Soulis committed a foul inside the penalty area.
Kylie Cino stepped to the spot and buried the ensuing penalty kick at the 3:01 mark, putting Iowa ahead 1-0 with her second goal of the season.
The Hawkeyes continued peppering the Iowa State defense throughout the opening half.
Iowa fired 13 shots before halftime and placed six on target. Iowa State managed just two attempts during the period.
Cyclone goalkeeper Eme McClenahan kept her team within striking distance by making five first-half saves, sending Iowa State into the break trailing by only one goal despite the one-sided attack.
The Hawkeyes slammed the door during the second half.
Jada Grove doubled Iowa’s advantage in the 59th minute, finishing a scoring opportunity created by Abby Skiff and Berit Parten.
The goal was Grove’s second of the season. Parten picked up her third assist, while Skiff recorded her first.
Iowa State never mounted a comeback.
The Hawkeyes held 64 percent of the possession and did not allow the Cyclones to record a second-half shot.
Iowa finished with 12 shots on goal and eight corner kicks. Iowa State put only one shot on target and did not earn a corner kick.
McClenahan made a career-high 10 saves for the Cyclones as she faced a relentless Iowa attack.
Parten led the Hawkeyes with six shots, including three on goal. Cino and Grove attempted four shots apiece and each placed three on target.
Iowa goalkeeper Braelynn Galt collected the clean sheet.
“I’m pleased to get a road win against a rival,” Iowa coach Dean Ward said. “To get multiple goals and a shutout is pleasing. We controlled the game in the second half. We pressed up front and forced them to play long, minimizing their chances and set pieces.”
The shutout was Iowa’s third of the season and marked the third consecutive year the Hawkeyes have blanked the Cyclones.
Iowa has now outshot its opponents 114-22 through five matches.
Lucia Englund, Sofia Bush, Sara Batchadji, Millie Greer and Skiff each played the full 90 minutes for the Hawkeyes.
Iowa State will remain home and face UNI at 7 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 30. The match will be streamed on ESPN+.
The Hawkeyes return home to meet Kansas State at 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 3, at the Iowa Soccer Complex. That match will air on B1G+, and admission is free.
(TOP IMAGE via Hawkeye Athletics.)