Cardiac Cyclones Storm Past Baylor

AMES, Iowa - The Iowa State soccer team held the edge in momentum when it counted in Friday's battle with Baylor. A goal in the final minute of the second half and another less than four minutes into overtime provided the difference for the Cyclones, who move to 6-9-1 and 3-6 in the Big 12 after their dramatic 4-3 victory over Baylor. The Bears fall to 7-8-2 and 1-6-2 in conference play.

Baylor was on the attack early in the first half and took the lead with a goal by Ginny Rosario-Tull six minutes into the game. Iowa State answered back 11 minutes later when Kelly Burke fed Nikki Gamble for her team-leading fifth goal of the season. The Cyclones took the lead in the 22nd minute when Deb Benakis knocked in a loose ball for her fourth goal of the season. ISU took the 2-1 lead to halftime.

The Bears came out on the offensive again in the second half and scored in the first 30 seconds of the period. Kristin Ruef converted off a pass from Tiffany Boshers that was deflected by Ryan Lee. The Bears struck again when Boshers headed a Whitney Barrett cross past ISU goalkeeper Beth Chapman.

Iowa State was able to put a strong offensive attack together late in the second period. After several close calls, the Bears were able to maintain the one-goal advantage into the final minute of play. ISU freshman Kristina Baumann was able to take possession in the Baylor end and dribbled past the defense on the left side. Baumann fed teammate Kelly Burke who converted into an open net on the right side with 24 seconds remaining, sending the game to overtime.

The Cyclones controlled the early part of the overtime period and were able to get two early shots off. Baumann finall broke through the Bear defense and beat goalkeeper Monica Housden for the game-winning goal with 6:10 left in overtime, giving Iowa State the come-from-behind victory.

"We did all it took to win and left it all on the field today," ISU interim head coach Rebecca Hornbacher said. "It shows that this team has a lot of character, to be able to make a run and finish like that late in the game," Hornbacher said of Burke's game-tying goal. "We knew we had the momentum going into overtime."

Four different players scored goals for ISU Friday, the first time that four Cyclones have scored in a game since a 4-1 victory over Texas Wesleyan on Sept. 26, 1998. The four-goal output was Iowa State's best of the season and best overall since a 4-1 victory over Texas Tech, Oct. 26, 2001.

The Cyclones outshot Baylor 22-15 for the game, including a 12-8 advantage in the second half and overtime. The 22-shot output is the most in a Big 12 game by Iowa State since a 29-shot effort against Okahoma State on Oct. 15, 2000. Defender Erin Weldon led ISU with a career-high seven shots and now has 17 shots in 2002.

With the victory over Baylor, Iowa State surpasses 2001's overall win total. Five of the Cyclones' six wins have been by one goal. ISU also moves a step closer to securing a berth in the 2002 Big 12 Tournament.

The Cyclones close the Big 12 schedule with a home game against Texas Tech, Sunday, Oct. 27 at 11 a.m.

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Players Mentioned

Kristina Baumann

Deb Benakis

Kelly Burke

Kelly Burke

Beth Chapman

Beth Chapman

Nikki Gamble

Nikki Gamble

Erin Weldon

Erin Weldon

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