Cyclones Blank Jayhawks to Win Conference Opener

LAWRENCE, Kan. – For the first time since 2016, Iowa State opened up Big 12 play with a victory, downing Kansas 1-0 on the road on Thursday evening.

Junior Sophia Thomas played the hero for the Cyclones (3-3-2), as the Muscatine native netted her second score of the season in the 85th minute to notch the game-winning goal. Kansas (2-2-3) suffered just its second loss of the season, as it was shut out for the third time.

Avery Gillahan played a big part in the Cyclone shutout, as the redshirt sophomore had four saves in a couple of hectic situations to notch her second clean sheet of the season. Thomas was one of four Cyclones with a shot and was the only one to put one on goal. Also recording shots on the evening were Regan John, Ella Ciardullo and Yira Yoggerst.

Kansas was led on offense by Lexi Watts who had three shots with two coming on target. Both Lauren Wood and Saige Wimes each had a pair of shots. Kansas keeper and reigning Big 12 Freshman of the Week Sophie Dawe didn't record a save on the night.

Kansas held the shot advantage, 8-4, putting half of those on net. The Jayhawks also held the corner kick edge, recording six to ISU's zero, while the Cyclones had all four saves in the contest and KU had zero. The Jayhawks fouled the Cyclones 24 times as opposed to ISU's 13.

How it Happened
Thursday night's contest was a struggle on both sides out the gate, as the first half was heavy on fouls and low on shots. Each team just had a pair of shots going into the half with a scoreless tie.

Action ramped up in the second stanza, with both teams stepping up the intensity and action. There were five yellow cards assessed in the second half, as the game finished with six total – three on each side.

The Jayhawks were the primary aggressors after the break, attempting six shots – as opposed to ISU's two. Gillahan stepped up big in a pair of situations for the Cyclones, keeping Kansas off the board with some heads up keeping.

The Cyclones continued to fend off KU attacks and awaited their moment which would come late in the contest with just over five minutes remaining. Thomas would get a cleared ball from the Jayhawks and loop it over the backline just out of reach of the KU keeper who couldn't punch it away.

Fannon's Thoughts
"We knew this was going to be a really tough fight and it was great to see the way the women rose to it. We spent a lot of time working on cementing our game plan and our women executed it really well."

Goals
Iowa State: Sophia Thomas – 85' (2)
Kansas: N/A

Assists
Iowa State: N/A
Kansas: N/A

Up Next
Iowa State is set to return to the Cyclone Soccer Complex this Sunday, Sept.15, where it is set to face off with the 17th-ranked Iowa Hawkeyes as part of the Iowa Corn Cy-Hawk Series. Sunday's Cy-Hawk match is set to begin at 1 p.m. and will be streamed live on ESPN+. As a reminder, admission to the CSC is free.

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Team Stats

Sophia Thomas

Yira Yoggerst

Regan John

Ella Ciardullo

Players Mentioned

Ella Ciardullo

Avery Gillahan

Regan John

Sophia Thomas

Yira Yoggerst

Players Mentioned

Ella Ciardullo

Avery Gillahan

Regan John

Sophia Thomas

Yira Yoggerst

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