Iowa State University Athletics
Iowa State
Oklahoma State
Iowa State at Oklahoma State Primer
10.16.2024 | Soccer
Who:Â Iowa State (3-7-5, 1-3-3 Big 12) at Oklahoma State (11-2-3, 4-2-2 Big 12)
Where: Neal Patterson Stadium – Stillwater, Okla.
When: October 17 – 7 p.m.
Kicking Off
Iowa State will take on Oklahoma State in its final road match of the season on Thursday. The Cyclones, who saw their two-match point streak snapped on Sunday at No. 24 Texas Tech, will look to get back on track and clinch program win No. 200 in the process.
ISU will look to finish its last regular season road match strong, as it looks to collect another road conference victory. The team will unfortunately be without Isabella Agrusso, who collected her fifth yellow card of the year at TTU and now must sit a game.
The Cowgirls began the season 7-0-1 with a top 25 ranking and have settled in nicely during conference play, currently sitting at fifth in the standings. Oklahoma State holds the largest goal advantage in the league (34-6) and hasn't lost since Sept. 22.
From the Notebook
- For the first time since 2018, an ISU keeper recorded consecutive clean sheets, as Avery Gillahan blanked both K-State and Cincinnati. She has five shutouts on the season and four in conference play. One more clean sheet would push Gillahan into a top-5 season in school history.
- Gillahan was named the Big 12 Goalkeeper of the Week on 10/8, joining Ella Zimmerman as Cyclones who have won PotW awards this season. It's the first time since 2020 that two Cyclones earned weekly honors.
- The Cyclones have earned five draws this season, tying the school benchmark for most in a year. The team's three conference draws are the most ever in a single season.
- The Cyclones will play their fifth ranked team of the season this weekend, marking the first time since 2019 they've played at least five ranked squads.
- In its no contest against UCF, lightning caused a stoppage in the 67th minute at 7:35 p.m. In ISU's last no contest, in 2021 against Oklahoma State, lightning also stopped play in the 67th minute at 7:35 p.m.
- For the first time since 2016, Iowa State opened Big 12 conference play with a win, defeating Kansas 1-0 in Lawrence. It was the second straight year ISU beat KU 1-0.
- First-year transfers have had a big role for ISU this season, as three of the top six leaders in minutes played are in their first year in Ames.
- Ten ISU athletes have scored this season. It's the first time since 2016 that double-digit Cyclone has recorded goals in a season.
- Injuries have played a part all season for the Cyclones. Olivia Edwards, Jocelyn Bice and Avery Horner have been held out of all 16 games, while both Hannah Shaw and Regan John are likely to miss the rest of the season.
- ISU's six goals against UNI were its most since 2012, when it put seven on the board against UNI, winning 7-1. The team also posted its most assists in a single game since 2014.
- Iowa State head coach Matt Fannon earned career win number 100 against UNI on 8/25.
- For just the 16th time in 533 outings, Iowa State scored 6+ goals in a match against UNI to close out August.
Leading the Cyclones
Through 15 contests, Iowa State totes 10 goal-scorers, with seniors Morgan Furmaniak (4) and Magdalena Keck (3) leading the way. Keck has a team-high nine points, pairing three assists with her trio of scores.
Both Hannah Shaw and Sophia Thomas each have a pair of goals, rounding out the Cyclones with multiple scores on the season. Defenders Ella Zimmerman, Isabella Agrusso, Adelaide Wolfe and Chloe Broughton all also have goals to their names, along with midfielders Seulgi Lee and Lauren McConnell.
Avery Gillahan has been a constant for the Cyclones between the pipes this season, having played 1,330 minutes of action. Gilly has five shutouts on the year with 77 saves and a 1.35 goals-against average. Avery is second in saves in the Big 12, trailing just K-State's Murphy Sheaff.
Opponent Outlook
Oklahoma State boasts arguably the most balanced squad in the league, as the offense is top three in goals scored, while the defense and goalkeeper Grace Gordon have only allowed six goals. Speaking of Gordon, she has the highest save percentage in the league (0.895) and fourth-highest in the country. She owns a whopping 10 shutouts and is second in the country in that category.
As for the Cowgirl offense, five OSU players have over 10 points scored on the year. Logan Heausler has a team-best six goals, pairing with two assists to make 14 points total. Tied for the team lead in points at 14 is Laudan Wilson. Wilson has three goals of her own, along with eight assists. Xcaret Pineda (13), Alex Morris (11) and Nicole Ray (11) round out the double-figure scorers for OSU.
Overall, Oklahoma State has allowed six goals and has scored 34 times, holding a plus-28 goal differential. The team has 240 shots, averaging 15 per contest, and places 43.3% of them on goal.
Series History
The Cyclones and Cowgirls will meet for the 28th time on Thursday, in a series that Oklahoma State holds the all-time advantage, 15-10-2. The Cowgirls have won four straight in the series, but the Cyclones have taken two of the last four in Stillwater.
Up Next
The Cyclones will be back in action this Sunday, Oct. 20, when they return to the Cyclone Soccer Complex to host the eighth-ranked TCU Horned Frogs. Sunday's penultimate regular season match is set to begin at 1 p.m. and the contest will be streamed live on ESPN+.
