AMES — Iowa State’s search for its first Big 12 soccer victory continues after No. 10 West Virginia struck early and kept the Cyclones off the scoreboard in a 2-0 win Sunday, September 27, at the Cyclone Sports Complex.
The Cyclones fell to 4-5-2 overall and 0-3 in conference play. West Virginia improved to 6-1-2 and 1-1-1 in the Big 12, collecting its first conference victory of the season.
Sunday’s setback followed Iowa State’s 2-1 loss at Houston and marked its second meeting with a ranked opponent in its first three league matches. The Cyclones opened Big 12 play with a narrow 1-0 defeat against No. 15 Colorado.
West Virginia wasted little time applying pressure Sunday.
The Mountaineers unleashed three shots in the third minute. Iowa State defenders blocked the first two before goalkeeper Eme McClenahan stopped the third to keep the match scoreless.
That resistance broke at the 6:51 mark, when Anna Hauer fed Sophia Nickel directly in front of the net for the opening goal. Nickel’s finish was her fourth goal of the season, while Hauer picked up her fourth assist.
West Virginia carried the 1-0 advantage into halftime after outshooting Iowa State 7-2 and earning four corner kicks to the Cyclones’ two.
The Mountaineers doubled their lead at 55:20. Abbey Olexa worked into position outside the penalty area and fired past McClenahan for her third goal of the season.
Iowa State could not produce an answer.
Seven Cyclones attempted shots, with Megan Walters, Lucy Froitzheim and Regan John each putting an effort on goal. West Virginia goalkeeper Bailey Herfurth stopped all three to record her fourth shutout of the season.
The Mountaineers finished with a 15-7 advantage in shots, including an 8-3 edge in shots on goal, and led 6-3 in corner kicks.
Hauer paced West Virginia with five shots, three of them on target, while also setting up the decisive goal.
McClenahan finished with five saves for Iowa State. Makenna Marshall, Danica Lunceford and Erin Hopewell joined her in playing the full 90 minutes.
The Cyclones will get another opportunity to break through Thursday, October 1, when Utah visits the Cyclone Sports Complex. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m., with the match streamed on ESPN+.