ISU Soccer Ties No. 2 A&M, Falls In PKs

SAN ANTONIO, Texas ? The Iowa State (8-6-5) soccer team fought to a 1-1 draw with top-seeded and second-ranked Texas A&M (16-2-2), but failed to advance in the Big 12 Tournament, falling in a penalty kick shootout, 8-7.

“I think overall, we had a complete team effort and showed we can compete with the best teams in the country,” said ISU head coach Rebecca Hornbacher.

The Aggies got on the board first in the 24^th minute as Ashlee Pistorius headed a cross from Amy Berend to a wide open Elisabeth Jones, who tapped it in. The Berend cross from the right side sailed beyond the far post, where Pistorius used her 5-foot-10 frame to prevent it from going over the goal line and out of bounds. With Cyclone goalkeeper Ann Gleason following Pistorius to the cross, Jones was all alone inside the six-yard box for the score.

Shortly following the marker came another major development. Aggie captain Melissa Garey was sent off in the 31^st minute with a red card, leaving Texas A&M to play the remainder of the match a player down.

The Cyclones created a quality opportunity in the final minute of the first half as Amanda Nimtz's cross was just out of the reach of Maggie McManemin at the six-yard box.

After Gleason stopped a pair of point-blank opportunities early in the second half, the Cyclones had their opportunity with 12:40 remaining in the stanza. Brittanie Waddell received a pass following a corner kick just 10 yards out in the right side of the box. But her shot hit A&M goalkeeper Kristin Arnold squarely in the numbers.

The game turned in the 84^th minute when Nimtz had a pair of opportunities. The first came on a breakaway as her low shot from 15 yards was knocked wide right of the goal by Arnold.

Later in the minute, Nimtz took a clearance attempt headed by an A&M defender to her position in the center of the box and made the most of the second opportunity. Her shot went to the same lower right corner that her first shot was ticketed for, but this time found the back of the net for the equalizer.

“Our team battled and believed that we would score the equalizing goal,” said Hornbacher. “After the 84^th minute when that goal was scored, we controlled the tempo of the game and had many chances in overtime.”

In the fourth minute of overtime, Stephanie Kaphingst got her head on a Casey Bothwell corner but Arnold made a sprawling save on the shot as it trickled to the goal line.

In the second overtime, a Jordan Bishop clearance found Elise Reid near midfield with under two minutes remaining. Reid combined her speed with a pair of impressive moves to get all the way to the 18-yard box untouched. But Arnold was in perfect position at the left side of the net to stop the shot.

After the match went to penalty kicks and both teams connected on seven shots each, Nimtz stepped up to take her shot. After lining up her kick, A&M coach G. Guerreri signaled to the referee that he'd like to make a goalkeeper substitution. After waiting for Kelly Dyer to reach the net, Nimtz shot to the lower left corner was stopped by Dyer.

Jones then put her shot past the Cyclones' replacement in net, Ashley Costanzo, to advance the Aggies to the semifinals.

“A shootout is a tough way to determine the outcome,” said Hornbacher. “Hopefully, we can get a chance at an at-large bid since we have had many quality results this season.”

Gleason (8-6-5) made a career-high 12 saves in the valiant effort, including several point-blank stops. Arnold (16-2-2) made four saves.

For the game, the Aggies outshot the Cyclones, 25-13, including a 13-5 advantage in shots on goal. The Aggies also edged ISU in corner kicks, 7-6.

“I want to recognize the contributions and great qualities of our senior class,” said Hornbacher. “They've accomplished great things on and off the field and have been tremendous teammates the last four years. We will miss them.”

Players Mentioned

Jordan Bishop

Casey Bothwell

Casey Bothwell

Ashley Costanzo

Ann Gleason

Ann Gleason

Stephanie Kaphingst

Stephanie Kaphingst

Maggie McManemin

Maggie McManemin

Amanda Nimtz

Amanda Nimtz

Elise Reid

Elise Reid

Brittanie Waddell

Brittanie Waddell

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