PRIMER: Iowa State at Colorado

Who: Iowa State (4-1-2, 1-0-0 Big 12) at Colorado (6-1-2, 0-0-1 Big 12)

Where: Prentup Field (2,000) – Boulder, Colo.

When: September 25 – 8 p.m. CT

Kicking Off
Riding its longest winning streak since 2016, Iowa State will look to make it four wins in a row against Colorado in its first conference road trip of the season. The Cyclones will look to earn their first win over the Buffs since 2001.

Iowa State opened Big 12 action last Sunday against Arizona at the Cyclones Soccer Complex, picking up a 1-0 win. ISU started conference play 1-0 for the second consecutive season, for the first time since 2006/07 in the process.

Like ISU, Colorado also opened up conference play at home and earned a result as it drew with K-State. The Buffs picked up their third shutout of the season, but for the second time in their last three outings, were unable to record a goal.

From the Notebook

The Cyclones scored four second-half goals against UNI on Sept. 11 – the most second-half goals by a Cyclone team since 2012 against South Dakota.
- ISU's back-to-back four-plus goal outings were the first since 1999.
ISU downed UND 4-0, scoring four or more goals in a contest for just the third time since 2013 and earning the first home win of the season.
Against Drake, Lucy Froitzheim netted an equalizer with 30 seconds left on the clock. Her goal was the latest game-tying score in program history.
ISU earned its 200th program win over Creighton on Aug. 21, downing the Bluejays 1-nil. Isabella Agrusso scored the game-winning goal in the 89th minute – the latest Cyclone goal since Courtney Powell against Kansas in 2020.
- Agrusso's game-winner, with 88:41 on the clock, was the eighth-latest game-winning goal (in regulation) in program history.
Iowa State's streak of three straight results to start the year was the longest since 2022. The Cyclones earned a result for the third consecutive season in both their season opener and road opener this season.
- Iowa State's three-game unbeaten streak to start the season was the longest stretch to start a year since 2013.
Ten Cyclones have registered points so far in 2025. ISU has now had at least ten point scorers in each of the last three seasons.
Iowa State was picked to finish 14th in the Big 12 preseason poll. Iowa State has outperformed its expected finish in each of the last two seasons.
With the Big 12 trimming the number of teams that make the Big 12 Championship (from 12 to eight), ISU has its work cut out for itself as it tries to punch a ticket to Texas. The Cyclones will aim to return to the Big 12 Championship for the first time since 2021.
Iowa State earned six draws (four in conference play) last season, setting a school record for most in a single season.

Leading the Cyclones
Iowa State's leading goal-scorer through the non-conference slate is center back Ella Zimmerman. Zimmerman has a team-high three goals, all coming off set pieces, as she also leads the team with six points in total.

Morgan Goodman and Taylor Spitzer join Zimmerman as multi-goal scorers for the Cyclones, as each has two. Six other Cyclones have scored on the season, while eight Cyclones are tied for the team lead in assists with one.

In the net, Kasey Cannistraro has been solid, starting all seven contests for the Cyclones and allowing just five goals. Cannistraro has a pair of clean sheets and a combined shutout to her name, as she has tallied 25 saves this season.

Overall, the Cyclones have 13 goals this season and have allowed just five scores. The team has 79 total shots, averaging 11.3 per contest, and places 54.4% of them on goal.

Opponent Outlook
Colorado has a dynamic duo that leads the offense, as Hope Leyba (9 goals) and Jace Holley (8 goals) are the top goal-scoring duo in the country. Though Leyba has more goals, Holley has more points, as she has four assists with her eight scores.

Both Emerson Layne and Reagan Kotschau also have multiple goals on the year with three, while five others have scored at least once. Layne leads the team in assists, just edging out Holley with five.

Last year's Goalkeeper of the Year, Jordan Nytes, has had a strong start to her 2025 campaign. Nytes has 31 saves to lead the conference and three shutouts.

Overall, Colorado has 28 goals this season and has allowed just six scores. The team has 136 total shots, averaging 15.1 per contest, and places 48.5% of them on goal.

Series History
The Cyclones and Buffaloes will be meeting for the 19th time this Thursday and second time as renewed Big 12 opponents. Colorado holds a 15-2-1 all-time advantage and has not lost to Iowa State since 2001.

Up Next
Iowa State will return to action this Sunday, Sept. 28, when it returns to Ames to host the Texas Tech Red Raiders. The Cyclones and Red Raiders will square off at 1 pm and the game will be streamed live on ESPN+.

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Players Mentioned

Isabella Agrusso

Kasey Cannistraro

Lucy Froitzheim

Morgan Goodman

Taylor Spitzer

Ella Zimmerman

Sponsors

Iowa State University Athletics