Iowa State Falls to No. 10 West Virginia

Sunday, September 27

Ames, Iowa

12 p.m.

Iowa State

4-5-2, 0-3-0

West Virginia

6-1-2, 1-1-1

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

Photo by: LUKE LU @KL6PHOTO

Iowa State Falls to No. 10 West Virginia

09.27.2026 | Soccer

Box Score Box Score (.pdf)

AMES, Iowa – Facing its second ranked opponent of the early Big 12 slate, Iowa State (4-5-2, 0-3 Big 12) fell to No. 10 West Virginia (6-1-2, 1-1-1 Big 12) Sunday afternoon at the Cyclone Sports Complex, 2-0.

The Mountaineers jumped out to an early 1-0 lead thanks to a nifty pass from Anna Hauer before tacking on another goal in the second half to put things away.

Iowa State had seven players record shots, with Megan Walters, Lucy Froitzheim and Regan John putting attempts on net. Makenna Marshall, Danica Lunceford and Erin Hopewell all joined keeper Eme McClenahan in playing a full 90 minutes. McClenahan would finish the contest with five saves.

West Virginia's Hauer led all players with five shots, placing three on goal and earning her fourth assist of the season. Starters Abbey Olexa and Sophia Nickel accounted for the team's scores in the win. In net, Bailey Herfurth smothered all three shots that came her way for a clean sheet – her fourth of the season.

WVU held a 15-7 shot advantage, placing eight on goal compared to ISU's three. The Mountaineers also led in the corner kick department, drawing six to ISU's three. The Cyclones did end up finishing with more saves than WVU, 6-3.

How it Happened
WVU came out of the gates firing, sending a trio of early shots McClenahan's way in the third minute of the contest. After the first two were blocked by ISU defenders, McClenahan saved the third to survive the early barrage.

Four minutes later, though, the Mountaineers broke through as Hauer fed Nickel about a foot in front of the net for an easy look as WVU took a 1-0 lead.

West Virginia controlled the remainder of the first half, allowing just one more shot in the first 45 as it took a 1-0 lead into the break. At the half, WVU had a 7-2 shot advantage and a 4-2 corner kick edge.

The Mountaineers added a second score 10 minutes into the second half, as Abbey Olexa dribbled into a comfortable spot outside of the box before banging one past McClenahan to extend the advantage.

WVU would go on to win the game, 2-0, to notch its first conference win of the season.

Goals
Iowa State: N/A
West Virginia: Sophia Nickel – 6:51 (4), Abbey Olexa – 55:20 (3)

Assists
Iowa State: N/A
West Virginia: Anna Hauer (4)

Next Up
The Cyclones will return to action on Thursday, Oct. 1, when they welcome Utah to the Cyclone Sports Complex. The Cyclones and Utes will square off at 6 p.m., and the game will be streamed live on ESPN+.