PRIMER: Iowa State vs. Kansas City

Kicking Off
After opening the season on the road, Iowa State will return to the Cyclone Sports Complex to host Kansas City in the home opener. Sunday night's home opener also doubles as Senior Night, as ISU will celebrate Sara Gavagan, Erin Hopewell, Regan John, Maia Soulis and Sydney Walters.

Last time out, Iowa State downed Omaha by a score of 1-0. ISU got on the board midway through the first half and held on for a shutout win to kick off the 2026 campaign.

Kansas City will open its 2026 year with the Cyclones, becoming the second straight Summit League school ISU will face. While UNO was picked to finish third in the preseason poll, KC slotted in fifth in the league's preseason poll.

Game Note: Senior Night festivities will occur after the game ends. As a reminder, admission to the Cyclone Soccer Complex is FREE.

From the Notebook

Iowa State drew nine corner kicks against Omaha. It was the team's most in a single game since 8/20/23.
Iowa State earned a season-opening result for the fourth consecutive season, as it dispatched Omaha, 1-0.
After two seasons with San Francisco without earning a point, Danica Lunceford scored her first career goal in her first contest with the Cyclones, which would prove to be the game-winner.
ISU lost over half of its 2025 roster (14 players) over the offseason.
Morgan Struttmann and Giovanna Hansen will miss the season with injury.
ISU coach Matt Fannon announced that he will be retiring from the coaching profession at the end of the 2026 season.

Leading the Cyclones
Through one game, Lunceford leads the Cyclone offense statistically. The junior owns the most shots (3), shots on goal (2) and goals (1). Two other Cyclones, Breezie Brewer and Regan John, each had two shots in the opener, while five others logged attempts.

Between the pipes, Eme McClenahan has played each possible minute for the Cyclones. She logged her second career clean sheet in the season opener against Omaha, collecting one save.

Overall, the Cyclones have scored 1 goal and allowed 0 goals through one contest. The team had 12 total shots, averaging 12.0 per contest, and has placed 33.3% of them on goal.

Opponent Outlook
Kansas City, picked to finish fifth in the Summit, will open its season in Ames. KC's Ashley Koch and Olivia Platt were named Players to Watch by the conference office, with Play coming off a First Team All-Summit League season.

In its exhibition against Arkansas, KC started Anika Patton in goal, with the sophomore keeper pitching a first-half shutout against the tenth-ranked team in the country. Fellow keepers Hayes Fitzgerald and Ava Nowak split time in the second half, allowing three goals.

Last season, the Roos scored 35 goals and allowed 32 goals. The team had 183 total shots, averaging 9.2 per contest, and placed 49.2% of them on goal.

Series History
Iowa State and Kansas City have met twice prior, with the series record sitting at one game apiece. Two goals decided each of the previous two contests, and the home team took the victory in both. Sunday's meeting will be the first since 2018.

Up Next
The Cyclones will head down I-35 to take on Drake in Des Moines next Thursday, August 20. ISU will face the Bulldogs at 5 p.m. and the contest will be streamed live on ESPN+.

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Players Mentioned

Breezie Brewer

Sara Gavagan

Giovanna Hansen

Erin Hopewell

Regan John

Danica Lunceford

Eme McClenahan

Maia Soulis

Morgan Struttmann

Sydney Walters

Sponsors

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