Iowa State Topples Two Opponents In Exhibitions

AMES, Iowa - The Iowa State soccer team wrapped up an undefeated day Saturday, winning both of its exhibition matches. The Cyclones downed Southeast Missouri State and Southern Illinois-Edwardsville 5-0 and 6-1, respectively, in their first competitive tilts of the 2011 campaign.

Starting off the day in St. Louis, Mo., Iowa State defeated Southeast Missouri State 5-0 off goals from Hayley Womack, Theresa Kucera, Jessica Stewart, Caitlin Graboski and Addison Nokels.

In the second match, the Cyclones downed Southern Illinois-Edwardsville 6-1 to cap off a day that saw Iowa State defeat its opponents by a combined score of 11-1. Erin Green, Emily Goldstein, Megan Long (2), Graboski and Kucera all found the back of the net for the Cyclones against the Cougars in the match played in Edwarsville, Ill.

Iowa State head coach Wendy Dillinger was full of praise for her squad following a successful day on the field.

"We did well in both matches today," Dillinger said. "We started both games with a veteran crew, and we played very maturely. The sophomores coming back were a solid force. I can't say enough about how well they are playing and the confidence they are playing with. Going up early in both matches allowed us to get some youngsters in and see where we are at.

"Our goalkeepers, Maddie Jobe and Andrea Swanson, both got to play quality minutes and showed that we have goalies we can count on this year.

"We had a number of players score goals today which shows our depth," Dillinger said. "That is something I am excited about heading into the season."

Dillinger was especially impressed with the chances her team created and finished off set pieces.

"We scored four goals off corner kicks," Dillinger said. "We didn't create chances like that when our staff arrived here and corner kicks illustrate how a team is controlling a match. We talked about the importance of that and how valuable it is to be able to score off corners. The first three goals tonight were off corners and that will be important going into this season. Most goals in the college game are off set pieces and that is great to not only create those opportunities but to capitalize off them.

"It is important to know that our win over Missouri to close last season, our practices this spring and our hard work in the summer is paying off," Dillinger said. "The seniors who have been here for four years, their hard work is paying off and their commitment is worth it. We are looking forward to this season and these exhibitions only strengthen our belief."

Iowa State will get its first crack of regular-season action Friday at 7 p.m. when the Cyclones travel to Des Moines to face Drake. The Cyclones open their regular-season slate on Aug. 21 when Northern Illinois visits the ISU Soccer Complex.

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Players Mentioned

Emily Goldstein

Emily Goldstein

Caitlin Graboski

Caitlin Graboski

Erin Green

Erin Green

Maddie Jobe

Maddie Jobe

Theresa Kucera

Theresa Kucera

Addison Nokels

Andrea Swanson

Hayley Womack

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