Cyclones Face Nebraska For Big 12 Seeding

AMES, Iowa - The Iowa State soccer team (8-6-3, 4-4-1 Big 12) faces Nebraska (5-10-8, 1-8-0 Big 12) in a match-up pivotal to the Cyclones' Big 12 Championship seeding. A win Friday afternoon in Lincoln, Neb., could help ISU to the No. 5 seeding while a loss could drop the Cyclones as low as the No. 8 position.

Cyclone Notebook

- The Cyclones defeated No. 16 Missouri, 1-0, in overtime Oct. 26, at Columbia. Jordan Bishop broke a scoreless tie in the second minute of overtime to give ISU the victory. The game-winner was Bishop's second in as many consecutive matches.

- Bishop was named Big 12 Newcomer of the Week for the second straight week, becoming the only freshman to win the award twice this season. Her three goals have all come in conference games, including a pair against teams ranked No. 16 nationally.

- Following a 1-0 loss to No. 3 Texas A&M Oct. 19, Iowa State snapped a four-game losing streak with a 3-1 win over Baylor on Oct 21. Jordan Bishop, Lauren Odino and Erin Witte each scored goals against Baylor. Bishop also added an assist.

- ISU has defeated a pair of teams ranked No. 16 in the NSCAA poll this season, signifying the highest-ranked teams the Cyclones have ever beaten. ISU defeated Oklahoma State, 3-0, Sept. 28, in Ames, and No. 16 Missouri, 1-0, Oct. 26, in Columbia, Mo. The previous-best came at No. 18 Texas A&M in 2005.

- Ann Gleason is at or near the top of the Big 12 in every goalkeeper statistic. She's first in save percentage (.860) and second in both shutouts (6) and shutouts per game (0.35). Gleason is also third in saves (93) and saves per game (5.47), fourth in shutouts per game (0.33) and sixth in goals-against average (0.88).

- The Cyclones trail the all-time series against Nebraska, 9-2. However, ISU has won the last two meetings, including a 3-2 overtime thriller in Ames last season.

Head Coach Rebecca Hornbacher

- Head coach Rebecca Hornbacher is in her sixth season at ISU. With a record of 45-60-11, she is now the winningest coach in ISU soccer history. She passed Cathy Klein (41 wins) for the top spot on Sept. 28, with a 3-0 win over then-No. 16 Oklahoma State.

- Hornbacher led the Cyclones to their best finish in the Big 12 in 2005, going 11-7-3 (6-3-1 Big 12)(tied for second). The team's reward was the Cyclones' first trip to the NCAA Tournament, while Hornbacher was recognized as the Big 12 Coach of the Year.

A Closer Look At Nebraska

- The Cornhuskers lead the all-time series with the Cyclones, 9-2-0. However, ISU has taken the last two meetings, including a 3-2 double-overtime win in Ames last September.

- Nebraska (5-10-3, 1-8-0 Big 12) has lost their last five games, overall, and their last eight Big 12 matches. The lone win in the stretch came on the road at Lamar (Texas) University. Nebraska's lone conference victory came in its Big 12 opener against Oklahoma. This has easily been the toughest season in the proud 14-year history of Husker soccer. They will finish with less than 10 wins and achieve less than a .500 winning percentage for the first time in program history.

- John Walker is the Huskers' head coach. He's compiled a 215-77-6 career record and has led Nebraska to five Big 12 Tournament Championships.

- The Huskers have given up the most goals in Big 12 play in 2007 (23), while scoring the second-fewest goals (7).

- Sophomore midfielder/forward Shay Powell is the Huskers' leading scorer with five goals. Four other Huskers have at least two goals.

- Junior midfielders Sari Raber and Selenia Iacchelli lead the team in assists with three apiece.

Oh, The Possibilities (Big 12 Tournament Scenarios)

- Iowa State currently stands in a tie with Oklahoma State for seventh in the Big 12 standings with 13 points. The eight-team field has already been finalized with Baylor, Nebraska and Oklahoma being eliminated. Texas A&M has clinched the regular-season crown and the accompanying top seed. ISU can finish no higher than the No. 5 seed and no lower than the No. 8. Below are the Cyclones' postseason scenarios:

If Iowa State Defeats Nebraska:

- Cyclones clinch at least the No. 7 seed, having the head-to-head tiebreaker against Oklahoma State.

- Cyclones would move ahead of Kansas and Colorado for the No. 5 seed if both teams lose their final games to Missouri and Texas, respectively. ISU would finish sixth with a win and a loss from one of the two teams.

If Iowa State Loses To Nebraska:

- Cyclones could finish no higher than the No. 7, a scenario which would make an Oklahoma State loss to Oklahoma necessary.

- Cyclones would finish eighth in the conference with a loss and an Oklahoma State win. They'd then face Texas A&M in the opening round.

Sweet Sixteen Stunners

- Iowa State has defeated a pair of opponents ranked No. 16 at the time of the games. The Cyclones first defeated Oklahoma State, 3-0, Sept. 28, in Ames. ISU then took to the road to defeat Missouri, 1-0, on Jordan Bishop's overtime goal.

Shut Down Defense

- The Cyclones have allowed just eight goals in conference play this season, the second-fewest in the Big 12 this season. The superior ISU defense was on display Oct. 26, at Missouri. The Cyclones shut out the Tigers, marking the only time Missouri has been blanked this season. Entering the game, the Tigers averaged 2.87 goals per game, seventh in the nation.

Bishop Coming Up Big

- Freshman Jordan Bishop hardly looks like a first-year player these days. The midfielder has scored the game-winning goal in the Cyclones last two wins against Baylor and Missouri and the Big 12 Conference has shown its appreciation for her accomplishments. Bishop became the only rookie to twice be named Newcomer of the Week, taking the honor in consecutive weeks, Oct. 23 and 30.

Iowa State In the National Rankings

- ISU is ranked highly in the nation in several statistical categories, both as a team and individually. The Cyclones rank 23rd in save percentage at .865 and 67th in goals-against average at 0.839. The team marks are a direct reflection of its goalkeeper, Ann Gleason. The sophomore ranks 27th in save percentage, individually, at .861. She's also 64th in saves per game (5.47) and 71st in goals-against average at 0.839.

Cyclones Send Seniors Off In Style

- Iowa State gave its seniors a sweet send-off Sunday, Oct. 21, when the Cyclones defeated Baylor, 3-1, on Senior Day. Jordan Bishop scored the game-winner and assisted on senior Erin Witte's insurance marker later in the game. Lauren Odino also scored.

Gaining A Solid Reid On Goal-Scoring

- Sophomore midfielder Elise Reid struggled through a scoreless freshman campaign, despite leading the Cyclones in shots (51). In her sophomore season, she's hardly struggled. The Cedar Rapids, Iowa, native leads the Cyclones with five goals on 30 shots in 2007. Reid has scored a goal in three of ISU's Big 12 match-ups against Oklahoma State, Oklahoma and Texas. She also scored a pair of goals against UNI on Sept. 7.

Cyclones Face Nebraska For Big 12 Seeding

Players Mentioned

Jordan Bishop

Ann Gleason

Ann Gleason

Lauren Odino

Lauren Odino

Elise Reid

Elise Reid

Erin Witte

Erin Witte

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Cyclones Face Nebraska For Big 12 Seeding

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Players Mentioned

Jordan Bishop

Ann Gleason

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Lauren Odino

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Elise Reid

Elise Reid

Erin Witte

Erin Witte

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