Cyclones Fall 2-0 To WVU In Season-Opener

Friday, September 11

Ames, Iowa

6:00 PM

Iowa State

0-1-0, 0-1-0

West Virginia

1-0-0, 1-0-0

Team	1	2	Final F
West Virginia	1	1	2
Iowa St.	0	0	0

Cyclones Fall 2-0 To WVU In Season-Opener

09.11.2020 | Soccer

Box Score Box Score vs. West Virginia video

AMES, Iowa – Iowa State (0-1) fell 2-0 to West Virginia (1-0) in its 2020 season-opener at the Cyclone Sports Complex on Friday night. The Cyclones tallied eight shots on the night, equaling WVU's effort, but the Mountaineers put seven of their attempts on frame to two for the Cardinal and Gold.

Turning Point of the Game
The Mountaineers earned a free kick off an ISU foul just outside the penalty box in the 13^th minute of Friday's season debut. West Virginia executed the chance beautifully, as Isabella Sibley placed the free kick in front of the goal's frame for teammate Stefany Ferrer-vanGinkel. The senior from Bacelona, Spain buried the chance in the lower right-hand corner of the goal to give the visitors a 1-0 first half advantage.

The Cyclones rallied with a strong 20 minutes of play to close out the half, but were unable to find an equalizer. The senior duo of Tavin Hays and Courtney Powell led the ISU offensive effort, both firing two shots with one on goal each.

West Virginia found breathing room in the 84^th minute thanks to Alina Stahl. The junior scored on a breakaway off an assist from Aaliyah Scott to put the Mountaineers ahead 2-0.

Coach Speak
"I think we executed the game plan really well," said head coach Matt Fannon. "I think our women stuck to their task really well. How we asked them to perform, they were able to do that. I think they were able to see that we are able to compete with these teams. Maybe the biggest positive is a massive negative which is: we've lost the game based on the concept that we're just not quite ready to win yet. Ultimately we saw a team that knows how to win. You've got to learn how to do it to get on top."

Game Notes
- Tonight's match was the first Iowa State Athletics event since March 11 – a span of 184 days.
- The match also served as the unofficial kickoff for Big 12 sports – the 6 p.m. contest was the first of the 2020-21 season.
- Sophomore goalkeeper Jordan Silkowitz and freshman defender Olivia Edwards both made their Cyclone debuts this evening.
- Silkowitz, a transfer from Ohio State, tallied four saves on the night.
- Five Cyclones played the full 90 minutes: Eva Steckelberg, Taylor Bee, McKenna Schultz, Mira Emma and Silkowitz.

Up Next
Iowa State travels to Stillwater, Okla., to battle defending Big 12 champion Oklahoma State. The Cyclones and Cowgirls are set for a 7 p.m. game time at Neal Patterson Stadium.